Part 29 (1/2)
”You filled his shoes well before you were brought here to live. In fact, there aren't any shoes too big for you to fill.”
”Not even the ones I'm trying on for size in this alien world, Miss Scribbles?”
They shared laughter as they chatted about how Andrea received that nickname in seventh grade for getting caught numerous times ”scribbling” and pa.s.sing notes to Jana until they learned a more effective method.
”Did anything special happen last night? Don't keep me in suspense.”
”I didn't break down and tell him about the baby, if that's your meaning.” Jana explained her plan.
Andrea, who was convinced they loved each other and could be happy, wanted to help patch things up between the couple. She and Nigel had decided last night to do all they could to keep them from being too stubborn to see the truth and to work out both of their differences. ”Isn't an ultimatum like that dangerous, Jana? He loves you; Nigel said so, you said so, he said so, and I believe it's true. I like him, Jana, really like him. Don't say again that sometimes love isn't enough; if it's strong and true, love is enough because it helps you work out any problems.”
”I don't want to get my hopes up again, then suffer when those beautiful dreams fail to materialize. You're being as rosy-eyed as I was when I met Varian. Just loving and wanting someone doesn't make it the best thing for me. I have to make certain he loves me enough, loves me in the right way. He must prove his feelings and vows this time. I have to be sure I can trust him; if I delude myself, it will cause worse problems later.”
Andrea couldn't forget or ignore what Nigel had told her about all the grim situations Jana had endured. ”Varian's explained everything to you, and you admit he had no choice. You know what was at stake. Why do you continue to feel as you do, Jana? I don't understand.”
”His goals are good, Andrea, but not how he carried them out.”
”He couldn't tell you or include you at first.” Andrea attempted to justify Varian's actions.
”He says so, but I'm not convinced there wasn't another way to do it.”
”True love comes around so rarely, Jana. Are you just going to throw it away because he made a mistake?”
Jana surmised that Andrea was being influenced by Nigel who was Varian's naturally biased best friend. Yet, it was obvious Andrea believed what she was saying and only wanted the best for Jana and the baby. ”I've told you my decision; the rest is up to Varian.”
”You want to punish him before you agree to take him back?”
”No, just to be convinced I can trust him and that he loves me as much as his duty and people. Is that so wrong?”
”Don't act impulsively, Jana, please. You might regret it. Varian Saar doesn't strike me as a man who can be threatened or tricked.”
”I'm not doing either one. I won't be rash or reckless, my worrywart friend, just ...”
”Jana, Jana, this crazy plan worries me.”
Jana patted her friend's shoulder and smiled. ”Once and for all, I'll learn the truth about his feelings. At that point, it should be simple to prove himself. If he fails, so be it and I'm out of his life for good.”
”Where would you go? What would you do?”
”I'd go to my father-in-law's on Tartarus and be a scientist and mother. I'd raise the next heir to the Androasian Empire and live in peace for a change.”
”But it isn't Ryker Triloni's child, isn't Kadim Maal's grandchild.”
”If Varian waits too long to lay claim to me and his child, it will be viewed and accepted as Ryker's by everyone who doesn't know about this charade. Since it can't ever be exposed, the truth will be buried with Ryker. Besides, I've told you that children here resemble their fathers, not mothers. Since Ryker was Varian's near twin and they both look like Galen, my baby will also look like a Saar, like his father and half-uncle. Don't you see why that makes it even more imperative to rush? As far as everyone knows and will ever know, I've been living with Ryker as his wife. Who would believe this isn't his child? My hands are tied, Andrea. So many times Varian has said he had no choice in his actions. Well, this time he does, and so do I. But there is a time limit on him making it. I'm not to blame for getting pregnant at the wrong moment; he is. If he doesn't solve this complication, it will be the last one he makes in my life.”
As they eased into orbit around Tartarus in the Androasian Empire, Varian confided in Nigel. ”I don't know what, but something is up with Jana. She's been strange and distant ever since we left Darkar.”
”Relax, Varian,” he attempted to comfort him. ”It's natural for her to be nervous. Think about what she's gone through, first with your impersonation of Ryker, then her demanding confrontations with Faeroe and Taemin. Also, she's been locked in her quarters to avoid her old friends because she's here as Ryker's widow while traveling with her ex-lover. Give her time to settle down. I'm sure things will be fine. So is Andrea. She likes you and she's working hard on Jana to influence her in your favor.”
”I wish I were as confident as you and Andrea are about us, and thanks for the help; it appears I'm in desperate need of all I can get.”
The two men stopped talking when Jana arrived in the shuttle bay. Nigel smiled and greeted her, and she did the same.
”The casket is loaded and everything's ready,” Varian said. ”Let's get this task finished so you can get home. After all you've endured, I'm sure you need to rest. Any questions or worries?”
Jana took a deep breath and released it. ”None that words can change at this time. Let's do it, Commander Saar. Kadim Maal is waiting for us.”
Chapter Eighteen.
Jana was relieved when Effecta Maal was not hostile or hateful to Varian as, in a gentle tone, the Star Fleet officer explained the circ.u.mstances surrounding Ryker's ”death.” The silver-haired man was somber and near dazed with grief. Jana empathized with his pain, as she had lost her own family and understood what he must be feeling. She did not try to withdraw her hand from his as he gripped it for comfort.
After what ”Ryker” had told him about Taemin, Maal was open about his suspicions of the Pyropean prince. ”If he is guilty, you must punish him for your brother's death. It is your right and place to do so, as I am too old to seek the truth and subsequent vengeance. Promise me you will do this, Varian, and I shall grant you the treaty the Alliance seeks.”
”I swear it upon my life and honor, sir, not because of the treaty but because he was my brother. If any man is to blame for Ryker's death, he will suffer.” And I have, more than you can imagine.
”My grandson was right when he said both of you had changed. You are responsible for saving his and Jana's lives when Taemin closed his treacherous trap around them. I shall remember that deed always. We shall never be enemies again. The past is dead, with the cherished flame of my soul, as he desired it and spoke it to me on his last visit and the last time I heard his voice the day of his death. After Taemin and Jurad learn we have made peace, they will offer no threat to the Alliance who befriended my grandson. He will become more than willing to sign a treaty, too. My grandson cut Pyropea off from Trilabs; do not forget that, my sweet Jana.”
”I will remember, sir, and honor my husband's wishes.” She told him about Taemin's attempted visit and threats, and how she had thwarted him with the aid of Kagan, the head of her security. She told him how kind Avatar Faeroe had been, and the others, as well. ”Ryker was widely respected and admired, sir, here and in Maffei. Many have sent their condolences. I brought them for you to read and keep.”
The older man asked Jana to stay for a visit after Varian departed.
She hoped her excuse sounded plausible. ”Ryker would want me to take care of Darkar, sir, at this critical moment. So many people depend on his products and weapons, and he was careful with his great responsibilities. Too, there are several research projects in progress and at crucial stages. He taught me everything about his work and customers. I can and will carry on his important work and make certain no one forgets it or him. He has left a great legacy behind, one I must continue in his name. I'll visit again as soon as things are settled there.”
The clear oblong casket was brought inside and placed next to the one which allegedly held Shara's body. The display room where both would lie in state echoed with their footsteps and voices. Jana was relieved, for Maal's sake, that someone had dressed Ryker in his royal robe and placed his gold circlet on his blond head. The medallion around his neck rested on his lifeless chest. He looked handsome and serene, and perhaps his tortured soul was finally at peace.
As the three seemed to honor a short silence, she reflected on how she had met him and what had transpired between them months ago. The stranger lying there was her husband, and she was a widow. If he hadn't tried to slay his half brother, he might still be alive and her life would be very different. She recalled how Varian had impersonated him, how that robe and circlet and medallion had looked on her love. Yet, it was as if she were gazing at the man she had spent the last few months with, and that feeling was unsettling. If it hadn't been a ruse, the child in her body could have been his ... She couldn't help but think that if not for Canissia and Ryker's evil, she would be happily married to Varian and be far from this awful episode and its possibly damaging repercussions. Or she could be dead if Shara had succeeded in the attempt on her life. If the princess had slain her and if Varian had died at Ryker's hand, Shara would be living as Jana Greyson Triloni at her son's side this very moment. So much suffering had been endured by many because of those two insane people. Perhaps G.o.d, in his infinite mercy and wisdom, had ended their malicious reigns.
Jana cast aside her troubling thoughts. She looked at the aged ruler. Maal was quiet; he seemed crushed, defeated, very old and tired. She watched him stroke the transparent covering as if touching his grandson's body. The agony in his voice and faded green eyes made her want to cry.
”The last cherished flame of my soul has been extinguished. They are both gone and I am alone. Soon, the Triloni bloodline will cease to exist after hundreds of years of ruling the Androasian Empire. I am old and weary. How I wish you two had been married longer, my sweet Jana, and had been given the time to birth an heir to a.s.suage the pain in my heart.”
Jana's heart lurched in panic. She envisioned a terrible battle over the child she was carrying, between father and acclaimed great-grandfather. She couldn't let that happen; Varian couldn't let it happen! The conflict between the Trilonis and Tabrizes had almost shattered Varian's life and provoked intergalactic war. Those five people had compelled the charade and might ruin her future. She wanted to hate them and curse them, but what good would that do, especially now? Two of them were dead and powerless, Maal was a broken and enfeebled man, and the Tabrizes would be weakened or defeated within weeks. Yet, that didn't change the damage they had caused to her life; only Varian could do that, and if he didn't do it soon, it would be too late to matter. Her pregnancy would be exposed in a few months, and another complication would stand between them.
Varian pretended not to notice how strange Jana looked and acted. Somehow he knew it wasn't the result of the arduous pretense at hand. Something else, something serious, was gnawing at her. Later, he must urge her to confide in him. For now, he must concentrate on the task before him. ”After years of being foolish enemies, Effecta Maal, my brother became my friend. I shall mourn his loss and the years we will never share. He was a good man, sir, and will be long remembered. I'm only glad his death was swift and painless. I'm also glad he found happiness and peace during his final days.”
Maal looked at the quiet beauty nearby who was gazing at his grandson with sadness in her eyes. ”He was happy because of you, my sweet Jana. I am grateful you entered his life to share it, if only for a brief time.”
Jana felt she must respond. ”I shall miss him, sir. He became a very important part of my life. It will not be the same without him. I will not allow his memory to die with him. I am sure the entire Tri-Galaxy will mourn his pa.s.sing. I am here today because of what he was and did. I shall never forget him or his effect on my life.”
Maal embraced her for a long while, and both were tearyeyed. Jana did not glance at Varian as she pretended to grieve over the loss of his fierce enemy and archrival, the man he had secretly slain months ago. She knew it must be horrible to be forced to kill your own brother and Varian Saar was a man of deep and strong emotions.
Dakin Agular entered the oppressive room, his alert gaze taking in the three people present. He nodded a greeting to Varian and smiled at Jana. He approached the ruler and bowed. ”I came to see if there is anything you need, Effecta Maal, and to pay my respects to Prince Ryker. His loss is a great and painful one for all of Androas. You should be proud of him; he died seeking peace and honor for himself and his people.”
”Peace, yes, my grandson wanted peace. I am too old and tired and sick at heart to seek it for the Empire. You must do it for us, Agular. Tomorrow, I will proclaim you my successor and you will carry out my grandson's last dream, his last request to me. Go, speak with Ryker's brother on the matter before he departs; I grant you that power and authority. I must be alone for a while with those I loved and have lost.”
Agular, Varian, and Jana were astonished by the ruler's unexpected words and hasty plans to abdicate! Jana realized he was giving over the reins of his empire to Agular, a man Varian and Jana knew wanted peace, wanted one of the valuable treaties Varian had sought with his charade.