Part 12 (1/2)

The disguised stars.h.i.+p commander placed his arm around her waist and drew her close to his body. ”She's all of that and more, Grandfather.”

Jana watched and listened as the two men laughed and chatted about Ryker's excellent selection of wife and joint ruler. Grandchildren, heirs, and the continuation of their bloodline was mentioned. She perceived an immense mutual pride, affection, and respect between the two men, an easy and undeniable rapport. If she had doubted this blond alien was Ryker Triloni, she could never do so again after witnessing this episode. No matter how skilled Varian was at playing his half brother, he could not fool his own grandfather. Any lingering doubt vanished.

People she would meet, places she would be shown, and things she would do were related briefly to her. Rather, they were spoken of before her because it seemed more like they were talking about someone who wasn't present. She told herself they weren't intentionally ignoring her, simply a slip in their excitement. Her husband seemed to prove it when he smiled and drew her close again.

”No female is better qualified to take a place at our sides than she is. She will perform her new duties and responsibilities with perfection, Grandfather, because she is perfect. If I had searched the entire Universe, I could not have found a woman to suit me better. Jana is totally satisfying and utterly enchanting. Soon you'll see for yourself.”

Maal chuckled and teased, ”I need not be told or shown she has woven a spell around my grandson because it is obvious even to these old eyes and aging senses. The fact you chose her and married her reveals her matchless value and superior traits. Before your arrival, I had already seen her potent effect on you, cherished flame of my soul.”

As he made his last statement, Maal walked to a nearby table and lifted several pictures. ”A hidden reporter took these and sent them to any source who would pay for copies to display across the Tri-Galaxy. It appears to be a private moment in a romantic garden late at night.”

The blond alien eyed the pictures and frowned for effect. Yet he was delighted by the unplanned aid to his daring ruse and wished he had thought of it himself. ”It was a special moment for us, Grandfather. Have I no privacy anywhere in their galaxy?” He teased Jana, ”If my exquisite wife had not distracted me, I would have heard or sensed his brazen presence.”

”You must stay on alert at all times when you are away from Androas and Darkar,” Maal reminded him. ”Never trust them, cherished flame of my soul. They will betray you and try to destroy you before we destroy them. If they had no use for you and what you supply, they would have you slain or expelled. They are blind, stupid fools. One day, those flaws will provide their punishment and destruction. Then I will be happy and vindicated.”

”I'm safe, Grandfather. Don't worry about me.”

”I cannot help but worry, cherished flame of my soul. You are the last of our bloodline. They humiliated and tormented my only child. They killed her. If they dare harm you, Maffei will be destroyed: every person, every animal, every tree, every insect, every living thing. If all is taken from me, all will be taken from them. Any person or thing that survives my vengeance will become my slave and possession. The Maffeians have grown bold and lax; it would be simple and quick to conquer them. When the right moment arrives, it will be done and victory will be ours.”

As Maal spoke, Jana witnessed a startling change in the older man: an intensity and deep-rooted bitterness and hatred. Maal had not forgiven or forgotten the transgressions committed against him thirty-two years and seven years ago, no matter who was to blame for both incidents, be it Shara or Galen or both. In the blink of an eye, she glimpsed another side-a dark and deadly one-of this man. His frail and mild appearance had belied an inner strength of body and mind. All soft and serene lines had become sharp and hostile edges. A violent and savage aura now surrounded him that chilled her to the bone.

Maal was harsh, cold, and forbidding, as Ryker had been at their first meeting. The incident was shocking and disturbing because her husband was not only close kin to this mercurial man, but he also had been reared by this unpredictable and suddenly frightening force, and by his crazed daughter. Jana worried that Ryker might be more like his family than he had revealed to her. She hoped and prayed he wasn't. But that initial scene-the barely clad prisoner in a birdcage in his complex after Canissia had delivered her-stayed foremost in her mind to torment and worry her. Perhaps, she fretted in alarm, this new existence was not as safe as she had led herself-or been led by Ryker-to believe. It caused her to wonder if Ryker had been playacting during the past weeks since her recovery. She couldn't surmise why he would go to such lengths to dupe her when she was under his complete control, actually at his mercy. It could have been to evoke her best behavior during this journey, mainly before the avatars and Maffeians. It could have been to stroke his male ego or to taunt Varian.

Jana couldn't prevent a stunning suspicion from storming her mind: as Heather had pointed out, almost everyone had expected Varian to keep her. Ryker had admitted he demanded her in payment for a truce, even called her Varian's ”prized treasure.” He had said Kadim Tirol ”had no choice except to do as I asked.” Varian had disobeyed orders by taking possession of a charl. Had his punishment been to sacrifice her to Ryker to prevent Maffei from being cut off by Trilabs or attacked by Androas? Did Varian secretly love and want-Stop this, J. G.! Listen to them.

”Let's not speak of such distressing things on our first day here, Grandfather. We have time to discuss them later, in private.”

Jana saw the silencing nod that Ryker directed to the old man to signal a stop to the revealing talk. Maal grasped his meaning and complied. She watched Maal's other, gentle, side returned in a blink.

”This should be a happy occasion. Will you have a servant show Jana to our suite so she can settle in before tonight's activities?”

”It will be done, cherished flame of my soul.” He looked at Jana. ”You are free to go where you wish inside the palace,” he told her. ”But if you desire to venture outside, you must take guards with you as escorts and protection. We would not want anything to happen to our finest treasure.”

Jana feigned a smile. ”You are kind and thoughtful, sir. I will obey you.” But she was surprised by the caution. She wondered if Maal was plagued by malcontents, rebels, or spies. Here, in the kadim's stronghold? She also wondered how closely her aural device was translating their Androasian words into her English language.

”You must rest and settle in, my new daughter. I have planned a busy evening. There will be a grand reception honoring the marriage of my cherished grandson and future heir, and the first visit of our beloved Jana. We have a special guest tonight, Ryker, one who will surprise you.”

Varian looked at the ruler who had called him by name for the first time. ”Who is it, Grandfather?”

Maal grinned and winked. ”Wait and see.”

Varian hoped his sudden apprehension and alarm didn't show. He prayed that Canissia hadn't sneaked here and was waiting to pounce on him and expose him at the party tonight. But if that she-creature had stolen across the boundary and was hiding in the palace, she hadn't revealed his ruse to Maal yet, because the ruler had not made any slips. On the other hand, Maal could be very proficient at acting.

The stars.h.i.+p commander also hoped the surprise guest wasn't an old or close friend of Ryker who would talk about things of which he was ignorant. Nor did he want to put himself in the position of having a medical or scientific discussion in which his mental implants might not be able to provide in-depth knowledge and accurate responses.

If only he knew what was in store for him, for them, tonight.

Chapter Nine.

Jana stared into the large mirror as her husband tastened a gem-filled necklace at her throat that matched the royal circlet around her head. The crown jewels? she wondered. He handed her matching earrings to don. As she did so, she thought about how simple and efficient it was to create a marriage in this alien society. To become Ryker's wife, all she had done was accept his matrimonial bracelet and sign a doc.u.ment agreeing to become his spouse. The only witness had been a video camera to prove both parties were joining of their own free wills. After he signed the form and it along with the video was registered, their union was legal, almost unbreakable as in the word wedlock. Because of who Ryker was, they had signed two doc.u.ments and made two tapes. One set had been presented to Maffei for their records and one to Androas, so their marriage was exposed and recognized in both galaxies. After she was presented tonight to his people, it would be official. Jana mused: no ceremony, no vows, no flowers, no attendants, no romance, no gay nuptials. Yet, if they desired, couples could have their friends and family present for the signing and banding and for partying. Still, it seemed to Jana too much like a business proposition, a merger, a deed they had gotten down to a cold science.

She looked at the expensive golden gown that Ryker told her had been ordered by Maal and made for her and tonight's special event. The snug bodice with flowing bottom was heavy. The garment had a neckline that was off-shouldered and low cut but not immodest. As she moved, it glittered from reflections of light and made a rustling sound like satin did on Earth. Her tawny tresses had been swept up and placed in leafy curls by a female servant, with the circlet pa.s.sing through them and across her forehead. Her cosmetics were perfect in colors and amounts, again the work of the reserved alien who had carried out Maal's orders and departed minutes ago. Even a heady perfume had been sprayed in strategic locations on her body, a scent Jana found pleasing. As she studied herself in the large mirror, she admitted the makeup, costly gown, and hairstyle were flattering to her. Without a doubt, she looked regal. She was relieved, because this occasion was so important to her and the two men.

Varian pressed kisses on her nape, bared by her uplifted hairdo, and across shoulders exposed by the gown's design. Her skin was soft and enticing. He could not resist tasting it or touching her. In a husky voice, he murmured, ”You are breathand wit-stealing tonight, Jana of Earth, totally enchanting. Every man present will envy and congratulate me, and every woman will be jealous. You look like a queen instead of a princess. Even the G.o.ddess Kimon would envy you, my bewitching angel.”

Jana wondered about their ranks. Why did her t.i.tle and Ryker's translate to ”Prince” and ”Princess” when Maal's remained Kadim instead of King. And why were kadims' first names used after their t.i.tles instead of last ones, as with political leaders on her planet? Yet, she reminded herself, English and other royalty used first names, like King Richard or Prince John or Queen Elizabeth or Princess Di.

Before she could query Ryker about those matters, a servant arrived to tell them it was time to make their grand entrance. Jana's apprehensive gaze locked with Ryker's encouraging and comforting one in the mirror. He was magnificent, s.e.xy, virile, and enormously handsome in his matching gold garments that fit like a leather glove. His accessories included a gem-encrusted medallion with symbols unknown to her and a solid gold circlet. ”You are the one who is breath and wit-stealing, my husband,” she said, her voice quivering.

”Just be yourself, Jana, and they will love you, as I do.”

She turned to face him and search his intense emerald gaze. ”I'm scared. I feel as if I'm trembling from head to toe. My hands are like ice.”

Varian grasped them, rubbed them with his warm ones, and smiled. He noticed she did not respond to his rash confession, and he was glad. ”I promise everything will be fine. Come, everyone is waiting to see my wife, joint ruler of their empire one day. You have nothing and no one to fear.”

As they walked down the long hallway, she inquired as a distraction, ”Why does Kadim Maal call you 'cherished flame of my soul?' ”

From notes in Shara's diary, Varian explained, ”Because I am the sole reason for his existence. I am the flame in his heart, the blaze that keeps him alive and vital. It is what he called my mother before she died years ago. Afterward, he pa.s.sed the endearment along to me. I don't care for the name, but it gives him great pleasure, so I say nothing to stop it.”

”It's good and kind not to steal joy from others, especially * loved ones.”

They approached large double doors. He smiled, caressed her rosy cheek, and almost whispered, ”Remember, you are my wife, not my charl or captive. You are a doctor, a scientist. You are intelligent and well bred. You come from a life of riches and elite status. You are a princess, a future queen, their future kadimess. No one will say or do anything to frighten or displease you.”

Those words and descriptions did not dispel her anxiety, but she smiled as if they had worked magic upon her fears and tension. Maal joined them via another door. His faded green eyes widened briefly in astonishment. He studied her from head to foot, smiling.

”She is indeed exquisite and perfect, cherished flame of my soul.”

”Thank you, Grandfather. I was certain you would be as pleased with her as I am. Are you ready?” he asked Jana, who nodded.

Maal entered the huge ballroom first, easing through a narrow opening that prevented any guest from getting an advance peek at them. The music halted, as did voices and laughter.

The blond alien whispered, ”You have filled the last void in my life and heart, Jana of Earth. I do love you, woman.”

Jana stared at him. It looked as if he were telling the truth! Before she could think of the right response, she heard Maal's voice.

”Friends, loyal citizens of Tartarus and Androas, my grandson and future effecta of our glorious empire, Prince Ryker Triloni, and his bride, my new daughter, Princess Jana Triloni, future effecta.s.s at his side.”

The doors were pulled open by two black-uniformed guards, human ones this time, she noticed. Instruments akin to trumpets filled the area with a royal or state herald. Mouths and eyes went agape and everyone seemed to stare at the Earthling in ... disbelief and amazement.

Jana's right hand accepted Maal's extended one and let him guide her into the crowded and silent room, all without releasing her grip on her husband's with the left one. She felt Ryker's light squeeze of rea.s.surance, and she returned the gesture. She saw people lean close to whisper an exchange of opinions. She saw men eye her with admiration and desire. She saw women appraising her appearance and no doubt reasoning how a captive had snared the royal treasure from beneath the noses of local seekers. She gathered and returned smiles and nods. She even felt a pinch of jealousy as females raked her husband from head to toe with desirous glances.

In a whirlwind of activity that lasted for almost two hours, Jana was introduced to countless people whose names rushed past her in the flurry of excitement. She received congratulations and best wishes from everyone, as did a beaming Ryker. As he had vowed, no one offended or displeased her by word, expression, or action. The tension and fears quickly left her. This time, she was on display as a richly adorned and beloved princess and wife, not on an auction block as a captive and future charl. She was looked upon and treated with respect, admiration, and affection.

Jana could not help but enjoy herself. The heady wine in her grasp and many toasts helped calm her and rose her cheeks. She was grateful her breeding and training on Earth, on the Wanderl.u.s.t, and at Draco's had prepared her for such occasions. She noted with pleasure and delight that the same was true for her handsome husband.

At last, Maal led the couple to a slightly raised dais at the far end of the room. He seated Jana between them. The signal given, everyone took their seats and a fabulous feast was served, accompanied by more wine.