Balance (The Neumarian Chronicles) (18 page)

I knew Father kept his face blank to hide his outrage. He stood and planted his hands on the table, immediately bringing all conversation to a halt.
“The council released him in a shuttle equipped with a tracker and the fuel tanks loaded with explosives. We’ve already notified them of Mandesa’s treachery and they’ve blown the emperor out of the air over the Atlantic.”

Father pressed the halo display in the center of the table and
scrolled through the projected holograms. “Mandesa now stands alone. With the emperor’s death, his men have fled. In Asia, Neumarians have joined with the humans. They are currently fighting to regain their country. Yes, Mandesa has two nuclear missiles, but with the loss of the emperor and the uprisings in the Mining Territory and Oasis, I believe we have a few weeks.”

“What if she nukes us
now?” a woman asked.

“Then we’re dead,
” Ridgecroft said in a flat voice. “Most likely she’ll aim for UE before the Arc.”

“
Do we even stand a chance? The queen’s ships outnumber ours,” the same woman said.

“Yes
to both.” My father met her gaze. “That’s why we have a plan. Because it’s imperative Mandesa doesn’t have a hint of our actions, only a few people will know the full plan prior to our attack.”

“
How much time do we have?” a man asked.

“
A few hours ago, I would’ve said ten days. That was the deadline for Raeth and Ryder to arrive in Acadia. Now…only a few days at most, but I don’t think she’ll use her nukes. She wants to recover Semara.”

I knew what that meant. She’d send in her assassins, and we still couldn’t figure out how to kill them.

Ridgecroft tugged his robe around his body, as if it served as a shield of protection from the irate stares aimed at him. “I don’t believe members of her council are aware she has nukes.”

Father
scrolled through several images before stopping on one of Acadia East. “Per our sources, her council pressed the issue of peace and demanded that since Princess Semara had been captured by the rebellion, she appoint a second in command. Mandesa’s issue is the council will appoint her second if she can’t retrieve you.”

“They still believe that?” I asked.

“It’s Mandesa’s official story to explain your disappearance. Even if they don’t believe it, no one will challenge her.”

Boy, did I understand that.

“F-fleet’s ready,” Raeth said.

“Good.” Father eyed everyone at the table. “Each of you is tasked with specific responsibilities. We don’t know Mandesa’s time table before she will hit us again. So, prepare to implement
Zebra
ASAP. Dismissed.”

Father and I remained seated as the room cleared. Looking at him, I frowned. I could tell my near miss had shaken him. His neural façade couldn’t hide the
deepened furrows of his face. When the last person closed the door behind them, I said, “How—”

No
t aloud
, Father warned.
Only in our minds. In spite of our sweeps, ears could’ve escaped notice or a Neumarian with the hearing gift could be near. I trust very few people, and they’re all close to you. The two of us will be the only ones who know the entire plan.

I nodded.
What about the civilians?

A
hidden fleet of ships will take them to a secure location in the Alps. The soldiers will remain for protection. That way if we lose, our legacy will live in safety and freedom. As for the Arc, upon evacuation, we blow it as discussed.

A twinge of pain shot through me at the thought of losing another home.

He switched the display to sections of Upper Europe.
UE’s sending their lists of Neumarians and their gifts. We’ll combine it with Fallon’s, Dred’s, and mine. Too bad we don’t have a mind reader near Mandesa. I’d like to know her reserves, placement of troops, and available weapons. I’ll admit I’m worried that when she realizes she’s losing, she’ll take out the world
.

Images from my
dreams flooded my mind.
Last night, I dreamt about an epic battle. Ships were hidden beneath the sand. As they rose up into the sky, assassins rappelled out of them...it was a bloodbath. Everyone died
.
It was probably just a dream, right?

My father
pinched the bridge of his nose.
No,
I believe it’s the truth. But how? Your mother assured me you didn’t receive her gift
.
She was unique, a one-in-a-millennium type of power
.
There are only a few recorded in history. Could it have been implanted by Mandesa
?

No, I don’t think so
.
Why would she? And why would it only surface now
?
Besides, I don’t think it was me. Rather, it was Mother who spoke to me, using the images
.

“
What?”
Catching himself, he returned to telepathy.
She’s dead. How could she contact you?

I don’t think it is actual contact, but a memory
triggered by specific events. I remember her talking to me all the time when I was little. Of course, it didn’t make any sense. Even now, I don’t remember everything she said
.
Only bits and pieces. It’s possible the dreams were from her and that means their prophetic
.

Were you in the dream? At the battle, did you see yourself
?

I prodded into the deep crevices of my mind.
No, I didn’t see myself. It was like watching a vid. Why?

The future
’s changed
.
What was implanted in your memory was based on the statistical analysis of variables existing at the time
.
Remember when I told you there was a hypothesis that you could technically change the future with one minute difference?

Yes, but you said there’d be consequences
.

Even after your mother’s death, I ignored your mother’s prophecy when I refused to abandon you.
When Mandesa captured us, I realized I could escape and you’d live. But if I kept you as I wanted, we’d both die. My refusal to let her minions take you almost caused my death. Even now, I don’t know how I survived her torture. If I hadn’t left you when I escaped, there wouldn’t be a Triune
.

You mean she
died to save me, but believed I’d die?

Yes, but she hoped I’d make the right choice and
thereby change the future
.

My mind spun with the infinite possibilities.
You, or Ryder, Raeth, or any of my friends could’ve died
.
I thought the prophecy said the Triune would save the Neumarians
.

They
will. Lanena predicted if you survived, the world had a chance. Your being here has changed everything.

So
, my dream helped us
.

Yes. Lanena
knew her sister better than anyone
.
The memory of the prophecy that surfaced in your dream is a warning. Even from her grave, your mother’s fighting to save us.

Will
the outcome still be the same? Will we all parish at Mandesa’s hands?

Hopefully, no. Lanena’s warning’s allowing us to prepare
.

Chapter Twenty
-One

Leaving the command center, I headed for my quarters with F
ather’s words ricocheting in my head. The only thing I was confident of was that Mother had more courage than the most famous general. Her prophecies foretold that Mandesa would murder her because of me. Yet, it hadn’t mattered. She’d loved Father and me completely. Her heart open, she’d insured when I needed it most that I’d feel her presence guiding me. That took more courage than any battle.

Now, with Mandesa
backing us against the wall, I needed to channel her courage. There wasn’t a choice anymore. We had to go on the offense. Strangely, facing Mandesa didn’t frighten me—I’d waited years to free myself from her. No, what terrified me was losing people. Those I loved and those I led. I recognized not everyone would survive. We were fighting a war, but if we didn’t fight, the planet’s children didn’t have a future. That meant secreting them away to where Mandesa wouldn’t find them, and winning the war at all costs. Should we lose, the children would still live, but they and their off-spring would suffer the most horrific post-war circumstances.

I opened the
door to our quarters, entered, and closed it behind me, then froze.

Ryder leaned against the wall. “You have that look again.”

“What look?”

He moved to me, wrapping his arms around my body.
“Like the weight of the war’s on your shoulders, like one wrong move and your world will fall around you. It won’t, you know. I love you, so does your father, Raeth, Penton, Dred, Annie, Laos, Briggs, and so many others.” He chucked my chin. “Wipe that disbelief off your face. Your gentleness and caring has touched more lives than you know.”

“I’m not gentle. I’m a soldier.”

“My soldier. My love. And we’re getting married immediately.”

“Your hair
. It’s longer,” I said, brushing strands from his eyes.

His forehead tightened into several lines. “What?”

“Your hair. It’s grown out. I hadn’t noticed. How did I miss that?”

“I was a coward and kept myself scarce. But that time’s over. I’m never leaving you again. Where you go, I go.”
He lifted me then, holding me tight against his chest, he walked over to
our
bed. He lay me down on it and settled himself over me. “Raeth’s worried you think she’s angry at you. Like anyone, she lashed out when she thought the man she loves had died. By the time she’d calmed down and wanted to talk to you, you had shut her out. She misses you. I told her we’re getting married.”

I pulled back, my heart swelling. “Wh
at did she say?”

Ryder
dropped a kiss on the tip of my nose. “She wants to know what she’s to wear as your Maid of Honor?”

“Her uniform?” My giggle sounded more like a snort.

A familiar surge of warmth seeped into me. Not only his gift, but his love for me was merging with my essence.

He peppered kisses over my face as he murmured,
“Let yourself go, Semara. Trust me with your heart.”

I released all doubt and
the gut-wrenching fear of failure, letting my soul fly free. Grinning, I grasped his face and brought his lips to mine. Finally, I felt whole.

Last night, our kisses and touches had been about anger and forgiveness,
pent-up desire and passion. Today, the passion was there, but so too was a welcome home, a slow coming together. His taste, joined with his fresh, earthy scent of hope and devotion, calmed yet invigorated me. It saturated my senses and an unceasing want exploded.

His lips
, tongue, and hands excited and caressed me. Strong hands dipped beneath my vest and shirt, touching bare skin. The room spun.
Good thing I’m flat on my back
, I thought. I reached for his belt, only to have him pull my fingers away as he broke our kiss.

Breathlessly, he moaned. “Marry me.
Today.”

“Yes
. Father can marry us. But I don’t want a lot of people there, only friends and family.”

Ryder’s eyes
blazed with a joy I’d never witnessed. “Sounds perfect.”

Father,
are you free for the next hour?

Yes
.

Good.
Ryder and I would like you to marry us.

Silence
.

You told me to open my heart
, I challenged.
Marry us, now
.
I want him to be my husband before we go to war. And please summon the others.

I’ll take care of it. See you
in my quarters in thirty minutes.

“We’re set. Father
’s going to get the others and we’ll all meet in his quarters.” I took in a shuddering breath.

“You
’re sure?”

I grabbed his vest. “Listen here, mister
. You asked me at my birthday party in front of everyone, with rings and all. So, don’t second guess yourself now. In thirty minutes, you’re marrying me and making me the happiest woman on this planet for as long as we have together.”

His lips cur
ved into that boyish grin that always weakened my knees. “Yes, ma’am. And I gotta admit I kinda like it when you’re forceful.”

Heat radiated my cheeks.

“Are you, my warrior, blushing?”

“I’m
General Bellator’s daughter. I don’t blush.”

He lifted me from the bed and looped my arm through his. “Let’s get married.”

After another smoldering kiss, we entered the main corridor just as Penton and Raeth rounded the corner. Pulling free of Ryder, I rushed up to them. “Raeth—”

Laughing, she squeezed my hands.
“Later. W-we have my best friend’s wedding to attend.” Snickering, she slid her arm through mine and urged me to go faster. “Semara, you know I l-love you like m-my sister, right?”

“Absolutely, and I love you, too.”

“And n-now you’re going to be m-my sister for real,” she said between giggles.

Ryder
clapped Penton on his shoulder. “Up for being my best man?”

Smiling,
Penton arched an eyebrow as he eyed Ryder. “Of course, I’m up to it.

Still chuckling, I glanced at Raeth’s brown uniform—one of the three she owned—then at my green one. At least we didn’t clash.
“Thank goodness you’re dressed for the occasion,” I chuckled. “How’d you know what to wear?”

“Just lucky, I guess.”

Together, we hurried to my father’s quarters, stopping as Bendar hobbled toward us from the other end of the hallway.

I shot Ryder a sheepish look.
“Excuse me for a moment.” I ran down the hall, meeting Bendar halfway, and knelt so we’d be at eye level.

“Marry today?” Bendar’s rust
-colored beard rose high on his cheeks. “Happy for you.”

I took his hands in mine.
“Would you like to make me even happier?” At his nod, I kissed his cheek and asked, “Will you give me away?”

His mouth dropped open, his lips making a rare appearance beyond the beard. “What about father? He should.”

“No. You raised me, taught me to be strong, helped me stay true to who I was meant to be.”

“But—”

“Don’t worry about Father. He’s marrying us. But like a father, you cared for me all these years, bandaged my cuts and bruises, showed me love. Please, tell me you’ll give me away.”

Bendar stared at his feet.
“I caused pain. Hurt you, father, and mother.”

“I saw what happened in
a dream. You were lied to, led to believe you were saving Mother. Your heart’s always been pure. Please, stand by me and give me away as I start my new life.”

Bendar squeezed my hands. “Can’t say no. Never could.”

“Thank you.” I hugged him then stood and together we joined the others. As we entered my father’s quarters, I saw him standing toward the back of the room, holding a silver cup.

In the center of the room,
Annie hopped from one foot to another, clapping her hands and singing, “Semara’s gettin’ married. Semara’s gettin’ married.”

Laos strutted
up to Ryder with an
Arteres
swagger. “Mom says
finally
.”

I stood
there for a moment, absorbing how wealthy I was as I basked in love, family, and friendship.

A whisper of movement ruffled my hair. I looked around the mess hall for the source, but saw nothing. Then my mother whisper
ed,
This is why you will win the war.