The Marine's Queen (27 page)

“
You understand that I can’t allow these men to enter my queen’s presence. It would truly insult her and alarm me,” Sontu said with equal insincerity.

Smeltz frowned and tried to look beyond Sontu to the end of the long hall where Callie waited. His cold stare snagged on Joe, but then skipped back to Sontu.

“
Not a problem, captain.” Smeltz didn’t look happy. “Lead on.”

Joe moved in behind Smeltz and followed them while one of Giroux’s soldiers closed the door on the minister’s men. Joe wished he could have an hour alone with Smeltz. They’d killed all the men who had tried to sneak onto the planet before being able to question them and their connection to the minister.

Callie rose as they approached, her expression cool and reserved. Her pulse fluttered rapidly where Joe could see it at the base of her throat.

Joe wished he could tell her not to worry, but he admired her bravery as she hid her fear from Smeltz.

“
Your highness.” Smeltz had his counterfeit smile in place. “I’d hoped to have this meeting before you returned to Giroux.”

“
General Drant offered me safe passage. I saw no reason to deny his kindness, nor was I aware you and I had anything to discuss.”

“
Actually, there is a matter of some concern to my office. As you know, I’m responsible for the safety of the planets who are members of the Galactic Union. Your planet, though small, is an important member of the Union.”

“
I’m aware of the high demand for the elixir only we can produce.”

“
Only you, my dear.”

“
Please address my queen by her title, sir,” Sontu said. “She’s not your dear.”

Smeltz glared at Sontu and then dismissed him with a shrug. “It came to my attention that since your father’s death, you are quite unprotected.”

“
Nonsense,” Callie said. “Captain Sontu is the equal or the better of any military commander in your armies, and my men are very loyal.”

“
I would expect you to think so,” Smeltz said, a smirk in his voice and on his face. “There have been reports of brigand activity in this region. Such criminals could easily overwhelm the small squad of men you call an army.”

Callie paused as if considering the matter and then looked at Sontu. “Captain, how many pirates did my little army kill today?”

“
About thirty, your highness. Not especially challenging, but a good exercise for them. They enjoyed the day outside the city.”

Smeltz’s smile slid off his face like slime from a rock pulled from the bottom of a swamp.

Callie smiled at the minister. The only word Joe could think of to describe her expression was noble. Her royal air sent his heart racing, and a rush of lust threatened his alertness. He forced his attention back to Smeltz.

The minister’s eyes narrowed. “You were attacked by pirates today?”

Sontu raised an eyebrow. “Actually, we attacked them last night before they could organize their own assault.”

“
We’re not as helpless as we might appear, sir,” Callie said. “I hope no one else makes the same mistake and underestimates my army of men.”

* * * *

“
You must think of an heir for the throne of Giroux, your highness,” Smeltz purred, all good will and charm after they retired to the formal salon.

Callie sipped her tea though tempted to throw it in the snake’s face. She’d made sure to seat the minister in the uncomfortable chairs near the cold fireplace, but he hadn’t taken the hint. “My family has a tradition of marrying later in life. My own parents were near forty when they had me.”

“
I understand you turned down Geoff Hadrason’s courtship.” Smeltz gulped from the wineglass he’d filled for the third time.

Callie wondered if Smeltz was drunk enough to give away his connection to Hadrason. So far, she had only speculation and no solid confirmation of his collusion with the mine owner. She resisted looking at Joe, glad for his steady presence at her side, but worrying that Smeltz might take too much interest in him.

As if reading her mind, Smeltz glanced at Joe. “Could we speak in private, your highness? The things I would speak of are not for the ears of a common soldier. And why does he wear that ridiculous mask?”

“
Captain Sontu insists I have a personal guard at all times. This man is my Sentinel and completely discrete. The position is a traditional one as is the uniform. Anyone who knows the history of Giroux would recognize what he is to me.”

Smeltz snorted and stood up. He walked a bit unsteadily toward Joe. “Your guard reminds me of someone. The way he moves and how he stands at attention.

“
How did you know Hadrason attempted to court me?” Callie tried to hide her relief when the minister turned his attention back to her and away from Joe. She should have ordered her marine to leave the room when Smeltz requested it, not that Joe would have listened.

“
My department often works closely with the mining industry. Either miners or soldiers are the first to explore a newly discovered planet. We work together to map new worlds and make them safe for further settlements.”

“
Exploit new worlds,” Callie muttered.

But Smeltz heard her. “Not at all. History shows that mining brings civilization to the wilderness.”

“
We don’t find most of the outworld miners on Giroux very civilized.” Callie didn’t have to pretend to be angry.

Smeltz spun back to stare again at Joe, his eyes growing wide.

* * * *

Smeltz pushed a button on his communicator, probably a silent alarm. He walked around Joe, but didn’t get too close. “How could I have missed it? You’re the leader, the one called Joe. You were the one that stood before the court and lied.”

Joe fought the urge to take his revenge here and now, but he suspected it would make matters worse. He pulled off his mask. “I don’t lie.”

The minister smirked at Callie. “You’re giving safe harbor to a fugitive. You can be charged with a criminal offense.”

Callie didn’t back down, even stepping toward the minister with raised chin. “I’m giving sanctuary to a political refugee. Do you dare to fling threats and accusations at me in my own home?”

“
Are you protecting the others or just this one? Perhaps you don’t understand how dangerous this thing is. He’s a fash-blasted killing creation!”

“
Weren’t you instrumental in his creation, minister? And weren’t you the one that ordered his unit to kill innocent colonists?”

Joe’s heart swelled in his chest as he listened to Callie defend him. But it was as he had feared. His presence would cause her more trouble. Before he could intercede, his communication unit blasted a warning.

Sontu spoke calmly. “A large armed force landed outside the city, Sentinel.”

Joe turned his back and spoke so Smeltz couldn’t hear. “Go with our plan. Remind everyone to offer no resistance.”

Smeltz shook his head, the hateful smirk again on his face. “Not even you can escape the number of men I’ve brought with me, you freak.”

The name tipped the balance on Joe’s patience. He swung his fist, holding back enough so he didn’t kill the preening politician.

Smeltz screeched like a wild hen caught in a snare. He cupped his hands in front of his face to catch the blood pouring from his destroyed nose.

Joe took Callie’s hand and led her out of the room. They hurried down the hall to her bedroom. They changed into camouflaged clothing. In anticipation of trouble, he had packed a bag earlier.

One of Callie’s ancient ancestors had planned ahead for invasion. A secret tunnel hid behind the tall carved headboard of the antique bed. Sontu had kept the tunnel in good order when Callie had first felt threatened by Hadrason.

They didn’t speak after entering the tunnel, jogging at a steady pace beneath the city. Joe led, holding a light stick to help them over the uneven spots. After a while, they came to a steep set of stairs.

Joe spoke as Callie gripped his shirt and followed him down the tricky steps. “I brought this on you. I shouldn’t have followed you.”

“
Smeltz would have found another reason to call in the troops, Joe. He gave me one chance to agree that I should accept Hadrason’s suit, and then he would have called in his men anyway.”

She could speak all the sense she wanted, but Joe still felt guilty.

The tunnel opened outside the walls. Night had fallen, and the sky above Giroux glittered with the gleam of infinite stars. Would he live on this world long enough to take the beauty for granted?

“
Are we meeting someone here?” Callie asked.

“
We thought it best if it was only the two of us. Even the best hunters and the most sophisticated gear will have trouble finding two people alone.”

They slipped through an orchard and over a low fence. The native forest welcomed them into its dark cover. Joe estimated they had less than four hours until daylight.

Sontu would send out hover scooters as decoys, flying them far out into the countryside. Joe and Callie would hole up closer to the city.

They walked another hour before Callie started to stumble over branches and tree roots. An evergreen tree with limbs so low they brushed the ground rose in front of them. Years of shed needles coated the ground beneath it. Joe pulled off the pack and took out the insulated bedroll from it.

Callie’s face looked pale in the starlight. “What’s going to happen to my people?”

“
Nothing. Sontu won’t resist, and he’s sending out an urgent message to General Drant.”

“
How long until help arrives?”

“
Depends on what units are in the area. Edow can’t have gotten far away. Let’s get some rest.”

Callie climbed into the bed roll without protest and turned into his arms as he joined her. “I’m glad you’re with me, Joe. I couldn’t do any of this without you, and Hadrason would already have me.”

He wanted to tell her how brave she was without his help, but he didn’t know how to say such things. He wanted to tell her he would give her anything she wanted from him, not just courage. He would give her his last drop of blood if it meant she would be safe.

Her breathing settled into the slow rhythm of sleep before he could think of the right words. Why did his brain fail him when he needed to speak to her of important things? Frustrated at his lack of communicating skills, Joe lay awake and thought of all the things he should have said while he had the chance.

* * * *

Callie snuggled closer to Joe, recognizing his warmth even when half awake. Why were they still in bed? She could hear birds, and the sun seemed to be high in the sky. She bolted up, remembering everything. “I have to get back.”

Joe sat up and folded back the blanket she’d pushed aside. “Everyone is fine at the palace.”

For the first time since she’d met Joe, Callie sensed he was being less than honest with her. He tried to hide something from her and did a poor job of it.

After putting the blanket and bedroll into the pack, Joe took up his weapon. He avoided eye contact with her the entire time.

“
Joe?”

“
Yes?” He turned away and peered through the thick branches.

“
Look at me.”

He obeyed, slow and hesitant. He lifted his gaze to hers, his careful expression shrieked with guilt.

She nearly laughed, but the situation was too serious. What could be so wrong Joe would try something so against his nature and personal code of honor. “Tell me, Joe.”

He didn’t try to deny anything. “I’ve been in contact with Captain Sontu. Hadrason and a large number of men landed early this morning. They’re holding a number of citizens hostage until you surrender yourself.”

“
And if I don’t?”

“
Hadrason threatens to turn the women over to his miners, and if that doesn’t bring you in, he’ll kill the men.”

“
Those bastards!” Two months ago, Callie would have been terrified but now she was only furious. She paced back and forth in the small area beneath the tree. “We need a plan. If I give myself up, my people will suffer the same fate in the end. I’ve heard of planets where Hadrason Mining has taken control. The native population suffers horribly.”