Queen of the Savages - Complete (14 page)

"You believe a powerful man regardless of whether or not he tells you the truth."

Tev's eye's flashed.

"I SEE the truth of it with my eyes. You awaken the old drives in males. Your species is dangerous."

"Really," she said. Tracy sat back in her seat and crossed her arms and stared back at Tev. "Maybe the real danger comes in denying drives that are part of who you are. By denying yourself, when you are forced to face it, you don't know how to react."

"It is the only way to be admitted to the Aligned Worlds."

"So what? Your empire spans one hundred ten worlds. Anything your people need, you can make yourself."

"We benefit from the protections of the Enforcement Wing. Should another race become aggressive, we have their protection."

"Really, Tev? How many of these lies are you going to believe? Rev told me himself that the Enforcement Wing is stretched thin. Your story doesn't make sense. Those in power usually look after themselves first, and the people they are supposed to serve later."

"It would be a mistake to project human behavior onto activities of the Council of Nine."

"Yeah," replied Tracy sarcastically. "Because Ja-Idin Du is such a shining example of the high regard the Council of Nine has for the people."

"Enough," snapped Rev. "This is pointless. If you don't want to find yourself locked in the basement when we arrive, you'll keep your mouth shut. I won't have to suffer you much longer."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Remain silent. This will be your last warning."

Rev sat at the council meeting. He didn't want to; why were there so many meetings? The Kerdos prince wanted to search for Tracy and his brother.

Pa-Kregan, the head advisor, sat on his right. Se-Margen, the governor of the Northern Reaches, was on his left. Other governors from around Kerdos sat around the table. After last night's "conference," the lords gave him lip service, but none seemed particularly moved to do anything Rev wanted.

"Your highness." said Pa-Kregan. "We must consider the consequences of withholding Tracy Walsh from the Aligned Worlds."

Rev closed his eyes. He heard this several times already. He was annoyed, and he knew wherever Tracy was, she felt that same bitter emotion.

"What are we withholding, Kregan!" snapped Rev. "Or should I take it from your never ending whining that you are involved in the disappearances in my house?"

"No, my lord!" said Kregan shrinking back. "We are at a perilous crossroads. Think of your people!"

"I AM thinking of my people. The Aligned Worlds is very good at taking tithes and laying out a code of conduct that goes against our natures, but I see no support for the people of Kerdos right now. There was none when pirates attacked our palace and killed our emperor. My uncle. My aunt. My cousins. My father. We've heard nothing from them but demands. All take, no give"

"My lord!" pleaded Pa-Kregan. "How could they possibly know that pirates would attack us?"

"Du knew. He was right there. The Du did nothing. There wasn't even a message sent to the Enforcement Wing."

"They are hardly likely to help us," said Margen in a low voice, "when we jail his representative."

"Enough!" said Rev. "Consider ourselves removed from the Aligned Worlds. We are our own empire from this moment on. Now the threat of interdiction is toothless."

"My lord," squawked Kregan, "you can't. We have trade deals. What about our citizens on other worlds?"

"I am aware of what we have, Kregan. Call back our citizens and let them know we cannot extend protection if they decide to remain where they are. Honor whichever deals recognizes our sovereignty. I'm sure the prospect of dropping the Aligned World trade tax will sweeten the pot."

"My lord," said Margen. "This is an act of rebellion. The Aligned World's response will be swift."

"It is what it is. We're Kerdim. We made our own path before we joined with the Aligned Worlds, and we'll do it again." Rev looked over to his shoulder to his administrative attendant, Wa-Senten. "Senten, call a meeting of the military generals and admirals. I want this meeting today."

"Yes, your Highness."

"As for rest of you?" He let his gaze pass over the table, meeting each man's eye. "Tev is not here. He has been kidnapped. He may even be in the hands of criminals. In his absence, I am the sole leader of Kerdos."

"Yes, my lord," they answered.

Rev stood then, and everyone else did too.

"Good day, my lords. We'll meet-"

But Rev was interrupted when the doors to the meeting room burst open.

"Forgive me," said a young guard, throwing himself prostate on the floor. "Ships have landed at Ombrit Air Station."

"Ships?" said Rev. "What ships? Enforcement Wing?"

"No, your Highness." He took a deep breath. "They say that they are seeking asylum from the Aligned Worlds Enforcement Wing, and that they have a friend of Lady Tracy's with them."

"Carol?" said Rev in surprise.

"Yes, that was the name."

"Senten, get me a transport to Ombrit immediately. My lords, I must depart."

Rev swept out of the conference room amidst the objections of the lords of Kerdos.

Rows of Kerdos military, small transports fitted with large guns and single troops outfitted with the latest weapons, surrounded the ten ships landing at Ombrit. Rev got out of the transport accompanied by his attendant, Wa-Senten, and high advisor, Pa-Kregan. Kregan insisted on going with him and Rev was too impatient to argue with him.

The commander of Ombrit, colonel Ge-Ekben, approached Rev and bowed.

"Colonel, draw back your troops."

"My lord?"

"These are our friends."

The colonel's eyes flashed, and Rev got the impression the man was quite unhappy with his instructions. He made a hand signal, and the vehicles moved back.

Rev went and stood before the largest ship. A familiar face, Nurse S'den, appeared in the opening of the craft as a ramp came down. The nurse had been instrumental in helping Rev and Tracy escape the Enforcement Wing earlier. She looked at him anxiously.

"Come here, S'den!"

S'den walked down the ramp cautiously, and a group of her own security walked behind her holding rifles. The Kerdos soldiers trained their weapons on the newcomers, but Rev waved them away.

"Stand down," Rev ordered.

Reluctantly, his men lowered their weapons, and the other security forces followed suit.

S'den walked toward Rev and stopped a few feet from him.

"Thank you for receiving us, Lord of Kerdos. It seems we share a mutual opponent."

Pa-Kregan glared at her. The station's colonel shifted uncomfortably on his feet.

"What has happened, S'den?"

"Moving the other Terran was harder than I thought. Enforcement Wing ships are following us right now."

"I'm having my own troubles with the Aligned Worlds. I'm not sure how much help I can be."

S'den nodded. "I'm sure, your Highness. I've come with news you need to hear. May I speak with you in private?"

"My lord," protested Kregan.

"My position has changed of late. I'm afraid that no matter where we go, there will be an audience. Speak, S'den."

She lifted her head.

"My original suspicion was confirmed by DNA tests. Tracy Walsh has the DNA markers of the Moc-Noton line. She is a descendant of the Aligned World's royal line, and as such, she has the right to put in a claim to the Vacant Throne. As her mate, my lord, this will make you a prince of the Aligned World's government."

She bowed, and the rest of the people with her bowed too.

Tracy could be the Empress of the Aligned Worlds?

No wonder Du was obsessed with getting rid of her or making sure their mating was denied. Rev rapidly thought through the implications. As his mate, Tracy gained the status of an Aligned World's citizen. She could press legal claims through the courts. These claims would be things Du wanted to keep buried.

Clearly Nurse S'den had already thought through the implications. "Hail to Prince Ar-Reven of the Aligned Worlds!" she cried. "The Vacant Throne is vacant no more!"

A roar broke out as the ramps to the other ships lowered, and the people in them, representing dozens of worlds between them, spilled out. They were all crying "Hail Prince Ar-Reven!" and prostrating themselves on the ground.

Rev stood there in shock, and the troops behind him began to murmur.

"My lord," said Pa-Kregan. "You can't believe this nonsense. This is ridiculous rebel propaganda."

Rev turned to face Kregan and the stations' colonel. "It makes sense. It all makes sense now. Du wanted Tracy away from the Aligned Worlds. He wanted to send her back to her planet so she couldn't place a claim to the Vacant Throne."

"She can't be a descendant. They all died."

"You know yourself the last three queens produced only a child each, that we know of. Perhaps one or more did not. What if they sent a child or two to a planet far outside the influence of the Aligned Worlds? It would not have been the first time this has happened."

"Speculation," sputtered Kregan.

"The Prince speaks the truth," said S'Den. "My family served as healers and nurses to the Queens of the Aligned Worlds. They were sworn to secrecy, but yes, several births were not singletons as claimed. The children were taken away, but we did not know where. We've searched unsuccessfully for centuries. If Prince Ar-Reven had not brought Tracy to us, we would not know about Earth."

"What about Carol?" said Rev. "Does she bear the marker as well?"

S'den shook her head. "No, but she is a friend of our queen so she is an honored guest. Prince Ar-Reven, where is our queen?"

"She disappeared from the palace. The Aligned Worlds may have her now."

"When did she disappear?"

"Last night."

"Prince, our armada sits behinds your moons. We've monitored all the departures. No one has left your planet."

"Your Highness," said the colonel. "I must protest. An armada above our capital planet? These are dangerous people."

"Colonel they are allies now, and Welcome ones. They have named Tracy their queen, and by Endra, everyone on Kerdos better start thinking of her as theirs!"

"My prince," said S'den with an approving smile. "We await your command."

At they flew, the night sky glittered as thousands of stars giving way to dawn. Below them was a snow-capped mountain range lit by the harsh rays of a rising sun.

Tracy shivered from the cold of the aircraft's cabin. Her dress was thin, and there was nothing covering her shoulders.

For the moment, she was alone. Tev was in the pilot's cabin speaking with Te-Crevon.

Tracy glanced around. Any jumpsuits around here? She'd jumped from a spaceship higher than this aircraft. Maybe she could jump and Rev would find her.

Tracy unstrapped herself and tottered from the shaky motion of the aircraft buffeted by winds. A jolt threw her against the side of the craft. Here she found some panels that might be concealed closets.

She felt around the edges looking for a way to open the panels. Just when she found a latch, Tev returned to the passenger cabin.

"What are you doing?" he demanded. "Sit down!"

Another jolt sent her forward and into Tev's arms.

He growled as he caught her, then sniffed at her hair. Tev pressed his body against her. His hard length brushed against her hips.

"Okay, Tev," said Tracy nervously. "You can let me go now."

He sniffed again. "You, but not you," he muttered.

"What?"

He pushed her away. "Sit. We'll be landing soon."

"Where?"

"Our Northern Palace. It's an old place. It has been in our family for centuries."

"Was this the place Pa-Kregan wanted us to stay in when we arrived?"

"Yes. It is remote and difficult to access."

Tracy thought that it sounded like a convenient location to conceal dirty dealings. She had barely clicked her seat belt in place when the craft banked sharply. If she wasn't secured, she would have flown into the bulkhead. Instantly, she felt sick again.

"Oh god," she gulped.

Tev frowned. "What is wrong?"

"Airsick."

He made a derisive noise.

"You get sick often."

"You have that effect on me," she said, feeling bile rise in her gut.

The Kerdos prince scowled but rummaged through the compartments in the bulkhead until he handed her a small plastic bag. "Here," he said. "Don't make a mess."

"You're a regular prince charming."

Tev glared at her. "Prince what? I don't know what you are talking about."

"You bet you don't," said Tracy under her breath. Then the craft dipped again. Tracy was too busy trying to control her nausea to make any more smart-mouthed remarks. She felt light-headed as the ship dropped through the sky and her stomach churned.

Suddenly her shivers turned to trembling, and her teeth chattered.

If I ever get out of this mess, I'll be really, really, really good. I won't drink again ever.

If Carol wants to go to a bar, I'll tell her no.

I'll keep my hands off the hunky aliens, no matter how sexy they are.

Tracy realized her pleas made no sense. She would never see Carol again. Still, she clung to the unlikely hope that someone, anyone, would rescue her. She was shaking and feeling very weak.

All she wanted to do was crawl into a dark corner and puke her guts out. Her head started to pound.

"What is wrong with you?" growled Tev. "Your lips are blue."

Tracy wanted to cry. Why was the big, green man yelling at her? It wasn't her fault she was sick. She didn't ask to get kidnapped. She never asked for any of this. She just did the best she could under difficult circumstances.

Rev. Where was Rev? Rev would take care of things. He'd make the big, green man stop yelling at her.

He put his hands on her, and she tried to swat him away. "Get away," she croaked. "Leave me alone."

"Tracy!" called the big, green man. "Tracy! By Endra, what have I done?"

That was the last thing she heard before she passed out.