The Royal Mate (Space Wars) (10 page)

Chapter Sixteen

Endless meetings, social gatherings, and learning more about the Imarian people finally culminated into one huge event. While it was only the first one, they would need to repeat it on Craegin, and Paisley was really nervous. Today was the coronation. The official acceptance that he was the royal heir and would now be the sole individual to rule both the Imarian and Craegin people. And she would be at his side as his queen.

“You’re looking green again, Paisley. Talk to me, little one.” He hadn’t left her side, not even for a moment, since they’d arrived at the state building for the ceremony that would be viewed by the world. This was a big deal, huge even, and she was a wreck while he looked completely calm and relaxed.

“Have I ever mentioned that I don’t do large crowds?” She turned so that she could press her face to his chest. “I love you, Markus, but I’m scared silly of having people looking at me,” she grumbled. She also felt ill. “My stomach is rolling and I feel like I could throw up.” His arms were wrapped around her, giving her comfort while they traveled through the city. One hand stroked rhythmically over her hair. “It will only be a small crowd, and from what I understand, we will only be the focus for a short time. The lead-up is the big seller and will give us plenty of time to stand behind the scenes bored to tears while we wait.”

“That makes me feel better.” She rubbed her cheek to his shoulder once more. “And it could be that I caught whatever little Morgan got. Poor baby.” The little girl had woken that morning and was very ill. Adira had remained behind to take care of her while Markus was crowned. “After all of this is over I will have medical check me for what Morgan has.”

“A good plan,” he said. He leaned back to look at her. “If you do have what the little one caught, I promise to take very good care of you. I’ll fluff your pillows, read you stories, and cuddle you all you want until you are better. But if you give it to me, know I expect the same in return.” The vehicle slowed, then turned into a parking structure. It was time.

“Don’t worry, if I give it to you, I will make sure to take care of you as well as you take care of me.” She knew that he would always take care of her. “I just hope I don’t puke all over the men and women who are crowning us today,” she teased.

“Yes, that should be avoided at all costs. We wouldn’t want to upset them now that we’ve finally got them all calmed down and seeing things from our point of view.” Which had taken some time and many long conversations with Markus. But her man had reassured everyone, even going out to hold meetings in the smaller cities and towns to let the civilian population meet him and ask him questions. It had taken a toll on everyone on their side, but the end results were worth it. Accepting Markus’s hand out of the vehicle, she snuggled into him when he tucked her close to his side. While the peace was tentative, everyone was hopeful and willing to work at it. An excellent sign, in her humble opinion.

Her eyes were starting to itch and her nose felt like it was burning. “I really hope they’ll retouch the images that they take today or that I’m able to add additional makeup before we go before the cameras.” She looked up at him and licked her suddenly dry lips. “You’ve done good, Markus. You really have. I’m proud of you and all that you have accomplished, especially in such a short time.”

“
We
have done good things, little one. I could never have walked this path without you at my side.” He turned them in the lift to put her back to the wall and ran a finger down her cheek. “You look flushed now, Paisley. I’ll talk to the coordinator and see if they can’t speed things up a little. It is not like anyone will know one way or another. It has been ages since the last one of these was performed. I think we can cut a few corners.” Hugging her close, he rubbed her back until the lift came to a stop. Waiting for them were more security and an official she’d never seen before. They followed the man through the hallways to a room. Inside, Markus looked around, then turned to one of their security personnel. “Can you find her some ice water, please?”

“Right away, sir.”

“Thank you.” He nudged her toward the sofa along one wall and got her settled with a blanket he pulled from the back and wrapped around her. “Let me talk to the official and find out the length of this, see about speeding things up. I’ll be right back.”

“I’ll be okay. I’m just feeling a little blah.” If she had caught what Morgan had, today was the first day of it. Tomorrow would be when she was miserable and wishing for death. “The sooner that we can get started the sooner it will all be over, right? Besides, look at that incredible gown they made for me,” she said as she finally caught a glimpse of the gown that had been created especially for her and the dress uniform for Markus. Incredible. Both of the outfits were one-of-a-kind creations and she wouldn’t muck things up by being sick and not able to go through with all of this. She couldn’t. She wanted to stand strong at Markus’s side.

“I know, little one. But let me at least try to speed it up. Think about it this way, the sooner we are done here the sooner we can do the toasts and get you into bed. Be right back.” With a wink, he went over to the coordinator, who was talking with a woman. They spoke, occasionally turning to look over at her. The coordinator had a concerned look on his face and was nodding. Then the man dashed off while the woman spoke with Markus.

Coming back to her side, he sat down and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “He has gone off to discuss things with the official and cut out anything absolutely unnecessary from the program. The woman over there will be helping you to dress. She’s recommended we wait until the last possible moment, because it’s a fitted gown and might make you uncomfortable.” The security officer he’d sent off came over to them and handed a chilled glass to Markus, who then passed it to her.

She accepted the water and took a drink. “Oh, that’s perfect. Thank you.” She put the glass down on the side table, then leaned into Markus once more. “Tomorrow we’ll be back on the ship, right?” She hoped so, at least.

“No matter what it takes we will be there. I want us in comfortable, familiar surroundings if this is what Morgan has. I appreciate Petr’s apartment, and honestly it is fabulous, but I want us to be in our own bed and space. I miss the groove I’ve worn into my mattress.” The doors opened to reveal the coordinator returning. “Let me talk to him, you rest.” Standing, he walked over to the other man and they immediately got into discussion with several security officers. There was a lot of nodding, some thoughtful looks, and a bunch of hand gestures from the coordinator.

She watched him and frowned when the man glanced at her again. When the coordinator left, she looked at Markus, “Is everything okay? I take it that it’s time for us to get ready?”

“Unfortunately, yes. They managed to cut a lot from the program but that pushes our appearance up significantly.” He helped her to her feet and gently cupped her face.

After they were dressed, they walked side by side down the ornate hallways until they were standing before the officiator who would be crowning them both. She took a deep breath and waited until she was called upon to agree or disagree. She gave her assent and listened to Markus give his.

Suddenly they were turned to face a new people who cheered their union, both of them kneeling and being crowned. Sadly that’s when Paisley’s stomach heaved. “Markus, I think I’m going to throw up.” Between the nerves of having a crown settled on her head and the illness, she didn’t know if she would be able to handle this or not.

“Focus on me, little one,” he said quietly. He laid a hand over hers on his arm and squeezed it. “We only need to walk down to the doors and then we are free. I’ll signal security to delay anyone following us out. Chin up, slow your breathing, and think only of putting one foot in front of the other.”

Paisley did as he told her, keeping her breathing slow and calm. She leaned even more on him and closed her eyes more than once as they walked out of the hall. Once they were outside, she didn’t give him any trouble at all when he swept her up and carried her to the tramp that would take them up to the ship waiting for them. “Whoever thought of having this here, please thank them,” she whispered. She removed her crown so she could lay her head on his shoulder and closed her eyes so she could focus on not puking all over them.

“Probably the general. He has the pull to get Petr to allow one in this close.” She felt him sitting down and adjusting her in his lap. “Keep your eyes closed. I have a bucket for you in case you need it, but I’d rather you not lose your lunch in such small confines. The pilots would appreciate you holding out, too.”

Someone took the crown from her hands.

“Sleep, Paisley. I’ll make sure you stay nice and secure in my arms and then get you to our quarters.” Adjusting his hold, he tucked her head to his shoulder and began to rub a hand over her back while softly humming.

“Thank you.” Before long, she was yawning. She thought she heard one of the guards whispering about the queen being ill but figured he was talking about someone else. It didn’t dawn on her until she was right on the edge of sleep that he was talking about her. It was with that realization that she drifted off into sleep.

Chapter Seventeen

“Admiral, they are bringing him down now.”

“How is Samantha taking this and why isn’t she here yet?” Paisley asked. “Did you want to talk to him first?”

“She’ll be along soon. Right now, she is in a room up the hall. She wanted a look at him before being face-to-face with him. My wife wants to see if there is a sense of familiarity with this man. We also thought it best that no one had any idea as to the nature of our meeting with him. Myself, Fintan, and the two of you means it could be anything. Most will assume it has to do with finding out more information on the last two still in hiding given they are still a potential issue for you two.”

“Is there anything that I can do to help?” Paisley asked Petr. “Anything to make this easier on Samantha? The poor woman has been through so much already and I would help in any way at all that I can.”

“You being here is enough for the moment,” he assured her. “I can’t say what might be needed later, but for now, we need to focus on determining once and for all if this man is Samantha’s father from her Earth. If he is, that will lead to other issues, like how he got here, for one. If he is not, then I can only hope this allows her some closure on the matter.”

“Sir, they are bringing him in now.” Petr gave a nod to the security officer and moved to the side. He waved Markus and herself over to another place while Fintan took up position against a wall and affected a lazy pose.

“Tell me why it is that you have brought me here in chains?” The man directed the question to Petr. “I have done nothing that would qualify for me to be wrapped in chains. I am a leader of my world. I do not deserve this insult.”

“That leadership was revoked, as you well know. Sit him down in the chair,” Petr ordered the guards. The man was pushed into a chair, and his chains were secured to a bolt Paisley hadn’t noticed until right then. “You are here at my leisure, and since it is my ship a more civil tone should be taken if you plan to leave it the same way you came aboard.”

“I used to hold office on that planet. I, too, deserve respect. While you might have revoked the leadership on the planet, we all know that there will have to be some sort of government on each planet, otherwise there will be chaos. One king cannot rule both galaxies and all of the worlds that are inside of them.”

“That might be true, but it will not be you or any from your house doing so.” Petr moved closer once the guards finished securing the man and left the room. A second later Samantha slipped into the room and moved to stand where the man couldn’t see her. Fintan sidled in closer to her, protective as always of anyone he considered friend or family. “You are here to answer questions. You will not look around while answering them. You will always look directly at me, no matter who asks the question. And you will answer everything asked of you fully and with complete honesty. If you don’t, then that trip off my ship will be through a door no one ever wants to walk out of. Do you understand me?”

“Yes, although the chains are still unnecessary,” the man grumbled.

****

When she saw him led in, Samantha hadn’t been able to believe her eyes. There was no way it was possible. It was him. Holy mother of God, it really was him. She had started to cry the second she’d seen him, but fortunately she had been able to pull herself together before walking into the room where everyone was.

She looked up at Fintan and nodded, knowing that he would understand what it meant. She took a deep breath and when he leaned down she whispered her question into Fin’s ear so that he could relay it to the man who was her father. “Ask him what his full name at birth was, including his middle name.”

With a nod, Fintan straightened. “Please state your full name,” he said. “And the chains will remain in place because not a single individual in this room trusts you.”

“Samuel Tristian Henry,” the man stated gruffly.

She felt sick. The second that he’d spoken, he’d further confirmed what she’d already known. It was him. She looked up at Fintan and nodded. “It’s him.” She took a deep breath, then looked to Petr. She wanted to speak to her father, needed to speak to him. She had another question, however, and asked it. “Ask him what his mother and father’s names were.” If he gave the same names she knew, she would have to confront him. There was no doubt in her mind about it.

Fintan frowned but nodded. “Please state the names of your birth mother and father.”

By now Petr was looking her direction and Sam could read the concern in his eyes. Not a trace showed in his expression given he was standing before her father and would never allow anyone to know his inner turmoil or thoughts.

When he gave the names of her grandparents, she stepped out from the protection of the wall and those standing there. “How, Daddy?” she asked him when she stepped into his line of sight. “How did you finally make it work? From looking at you, it couldn’t have been too long after I left for exploration, so how? Why? And when you knew that I was here with Petr, why didn’t you seek me out? I’m your daughter, goddamn you!”

“Samantha,” Petr said softly behind her. She felt his hand come to rest on her back. “You had better answer all her questions, and quickly. Time is running out on what will happen to you when you leave this room. Depending on those answers you give could well see you having a long life—behind bars, naturally—but you would still be breathing.”

“Because I left that life behind when I left Earth,” the man said without even looking at her. “I have built a life for myself here. I have a wife here. I am happy here where I was not there. That life is beyond me. Here I have money, power, and persuasion. Before I was ridiculed for doing what I did and here I am loved for the advances I can and have brought to the people.”

“So, you’re telling me that I am beyond you?” Samantha asked, wiping angrily at the tears that flowed down her cheeks. “You deserve everything that you get.” She looked at Petr and nodded. “I’m done. Thank you.”

“You are worthless,” the man spat at her.

Samantha knew it was coming before it even happened. Petr didn’t lose his temper often, but when he did, it usually was with someone that disrespected her. It wasn’t even a shocker. He nudged her to the side, then decked her father hard enough the chair would have tipped over if not for Fintan, ever the helpful fellow, sticking a foot up to keep the chair upright. “You do not ever speak to my wife in such a manner. Security!” he bellowed. Then he turned to her and pulled her into his arms, hugging her tight.

The security officers rushed into the room and looked around. “The admiral would like you to remove the trash, if you would,” Fintan said, indicating her father. “I don’t believe he is overly picky about how it’s removed, but should it stumble into a few walls between here and the exit we would not be upset by the news.”

A shared look, then nods from all four men before they unhooked the chains from the bolt in the floor and took her father from the room. He protested the entire way. Loudly.

Samantha was sobbing. She couldn’t help it and couldn’t seem to stop. “I can’t. He.” She shuddered against him. “I can’t believe he was that callous. I mean even when we were on Earth together he wasn’t the most affectionate of men but he always cared for me. I knew that he loved me but now he hates me and I don’t understand it.”

“He does not hate you,” Petr said softly. He was rocking her in his arms now. “He hates that he has been found out and will have to answer for more than even he knows. I don’t know what all happened but we will discover it.” Pressing a kiss to her cheek, he squeezed her closer. Sam looked up at him and sniffed once more. “Can we go to our quarters? I need to have some time alone with you. Please? I can’t deal with this anymore.”

“Absolutely we can. The others can fend for themselves. They know where the food is kept, and will survive.” Shifting his hands, he bent his knees slightly. “Up,” he ordered. When she jumped up, he caught her and lifted until she could wrap her legs around his waist before heading to the door. Over his shoulder, she saw Paisley wiping at her cheeks while Markus rubbed her back.