Chapter Twenty-Four
Three hours later, Taryn flexed her feet under the table in yet another conference room and resisted slapping her cheeks to stay awake. Negotiations were slow because of the language barrier. The king had retired for the night, and it was just Taryn and a few members of the council. Hinvel Mayta, the head of government, had resorted to interpreting or allowing the computer to do so.
Once the computer finished translating Taryn’s latest point, Hinvel answered in CEL, “After a year, the colony will be given more autonomy in terms of changing the laws. While anyone who violates one of yours will be prosecuted by a joint team of Kelderans and Jasvarians, the basics of Kelderan law will be enforced on the Kelderans living in the settlement. It’s the only way to ensure order.”
The computer interpreted and Taryn answered, “Let’s revisit it in six months, and you have a deal.”
As Hinvel told her answer, a few of the others shrugged. She pushed on. “This is the last point, gentlemen. We both want the colony. Unless you have so little faith in your people that you don’t think they can adjust to a new way of doing things, then let’s call it a deal.”
The Kelderan council members talked among themselves. Taryn caught bits and pieces. Although limited by the device in her ear, most seemed ready to cave.
Hinvel finally met her gaze again. “We will agree to six months provided Kason and the general we send to oversee things on Jasvar provide positive reports on progress. If there is worry and dissent, it will extend to one year.”
Taryn knew that was probably the best she could get. Kason would be on her side already, so she’d just have to work on winning the unnamed general’s favor as well.
She nodded. “Deal. Are we ready to sign?”
The young man at Hinvel’s side tapped a few things on his tablet and a few seconds later a copy printed from the far wall. Once he retrieved the documents, he laid them in between Hinvel and Taryn. Two pens followed suit.
Hinvel gestured toward the document. “Confirm the changes and sign.”
She raised her brows. “I’d like time to study it first.”
“We thought of that.” Hinvel took a piece of paper from behind the agreement. “This is a temporary agreement. It says you agree to allow a Kelderan colony, but no ships will be sent until you sign the official document.”
Scanning the CEL portion of the one page document, she didn’t see anything out of the ordinary or deceitful. Taking the pen, she signed the temporary agreement. “I’ll look over the other one and hope to sign it before I leave.”
Hinvel signed the one-sheet paper and nodded. “I will meet you right before your departure to check on your progress. I look forward to working with you, Taryn Demara of Jasvar.”
“And I you, Hinvel Mayta of Keldera.”
The much older man smiled. “It’s late and I think we should all go to bed. Keep me abreast of your departure time. Your lord will know how to contact me.”
At the term “lord,” Taryn decided her next order of business was finding a new word for her spouse. “Husband” might be too bland. Maybe Nova could help her back home.
Thinking of her friend, a small sense of homesickness overcame her. She needed Kason.
She made her final good-byes and exited the room. She expected to see Kason, but it was just the guards and an unfamiliar Barren assigned to her. Since neither the guards nor the Barren female spoke her language, Taryn smiled and motioned for them to go with her hands. The woman nodded and Taryn followed her lead.
As they turned down one corridor and the next, it became harder and harder for Taryn to stay awake. It’d been nearly twenty-four hours since she’d slept and a lot had happened in the interim. Maybe she should cut back sex on the days she knew she’d be busy with negotiations and meetings.
After what seemed like an hour but was probably only five minutes, they entered a corridor more poorly lit than the rest. It was then that Taryn noticed the Barren woman was gone and it was just her and the two guards. She slowed her pace to get a better look at them. However, they stopped and faced her.
Both of them had swords in their hands.
Just as she reached for her dagger, a blur jumped from one of the doorways in the hall and tackled one of the guards to the ground. Taryn didn’t miss a beat drawing her weapon and rushing the other one. From the stunned expression on the man’s face, he hadn’t expect a female to fight back.
But it was too late for him. Taryn knocked him off balance and grabbed his genitals with one hand and positioned her dagger at his penis with the other. “Move and I’ll cut it off.”
He probably didn’t understand CEL, but he understood the threat and went eerily still.
Keltor’s voice filled her ears. “So the rumors are true.”
She didn’t dare look away from the guard beneath her. “I have no idea what people are saying about me. But if you could help me tie this guy up, I’d appreciate it.”
Keltor grabbed the guard’s straps across his chest and hauled him upward. Taryn barely had time to scoot away without making him much more than a eunuch.
A quick glance told her the other guard was already detained. Keltor made quick work of the other one before facing her.
They stared at each other for a few seconds before Keltor finally spoke up, “I’m sorry you were attacked. No matter what is between my brother and me, you are part of my family now and should be protected.”
So Kason must not have found Keltor and apologized. “It’s not your fault those two men were jerks.”
Keltor went to the nearest console in the hallway, placed his hand, and spoke something in Kelderan. Since she couldn’t understand it, she assumed the tussle must’ve jarred her interpreting device.
When finished, he answered her. “They will be tried and imprisoned for a very long time. Kason should be here soon to collect you.”
Taryn should let Kason and Keltor hash out their problems. However, she couldn’t help but blurt, “Kason tried to find the woman you loved. I think he knows he wronged you.”
“It does not matter.”
“Liar.”
He raised his brows. “It can be considered treasonous to question the heir.”
“Well, then it’s a good thing I’m family now, isn’t it? Convicting one of your own as treasonous would be quite the scandal.”
One corner of Keltor’s mouth ticked up. “You are clever for a female.”
“I’m clever, period.”
Keltor shook his head. “You are intriguing, human. You might actually keep my brother on his toes.”
“Of course I will. But that isn’t important. Give him five minutes, your highness. I don’t want to start a new life, let alone a new colony, with the past hanging over our family’s heads. I know Kalahn wouldn’t want it.”
He studied her. “How do you know what my sister wants?”
She shrugged. “We became friends onboard Kason’s ship. She snuck on, you see, and we were roommates.”
“So that’s where she disappeared to.”
“Yes. But what’s more important is that she wants her brothers to at least talk with each other. If not for Kason, then try for her.”
He paused for one long minute before replying, “I will listen and see what he has to say.”
Taryn clapped her hands. “That’s all I ask.”
Kason’s voice echoed down the hallway. “What’s going on? Are you okay, zyla? Did they hurt you?”
She turned just as Kason reached her. He took her face in his hands and scanned every inch. She finally smiled. “I’m fine. Keltor and I make a good team.”
Kason looked to his brother. “Thank you for helping her, Keltor. I am forever in your debt.”
“It was nothing. It’s partially my fault for not better vetting the guards. Not everyone is as welcoming as Father when it comes to your bride.”
“And you, brother? What do you think of Taryn?” Kason asked.
Keltor smiled. “I think she will be a valuable asset.”
Silence fell. It took everything Taryn had not to speak up. She wanted the two brothers to talk to each other without her constant nudging.
Kason’s voice finally filled the corridor, but it was in Kelderan. All she could do was watch their facial expressions and wait for an update later from Kason.
~~~
Keltor’s words, about Taryn being an asset to the family, finally convinced him he needed to try to make things right. Not just for Taryn, but also for himself. It had been a long time since he thought about how horrible his actions had been in the past. If someone had ripped Taryn from his life once he’d fallen in love with her, Kason may not have recovered.
And yet, his brother was doing his best to gear up for taking over the planet without the benefit of a bride. Keltor may not be a warrior, but he was strong in other ways.
Kason finally said, “My words will never bring her back, but I now understand the full extent of your loss, brother. I am profoundly sorry for what I did all those years ago. If I could bring Azalyn to you now, I would.”
“Your female mentioned that you tried to find Aza. If you were so determined to keep us apart, what convinced you to try to reconnect us?”
“Because as you grew up and shouldered more responsibilities, I saw that you did little for yourself. A female of your own choosing might help alleviate the loneliness that comes with being a monarch.”
Keltor assessed him a second before replying, “We may never be close, but we can try to be a little less guarded around each other going forward. For both Kalahn’s and your bride’s sake.”
“So you forgive me?”
Keltor glanced to Taryn and back. “I think you finally understand the extent of my loss. I will always be hurt by what happened, but I don’t wish to be petty. Your female shouldn’t suffer for something that happened long before she came into your life.”
It may not be all-out forgiveness, but Kason would take it. “Thank you.”
Keltor moved toward the restrained guards. “I will handle these traitors. Go. Your bride looks about to fall over, even if she’s trying to hide it.”
Kason nodded. “I hope to see you again before we depart.”
“You will. I have messages for you.” He motioned toward the guards. “I’ll tell you more later.”
Taryn swayed a little and Kason gripped his female’s shoulders. “Until then, brother.” He switched to CEL. “And it’s time to take you to bed.”
“I would protest, but the adrenaline is wearing off and I’m going to crash.”
He scooped up his bride. When she didn’t protest, he knew she was exhausted. “I will always have your back, Taryn Demara.” He waited until they were far enough away from Keltor and the two prisoners before he added, “Keltor and I are on better terms now.”
She leaned her head against his chest. “I’m glad. The bigger our family becomes, the better.”
“So, you’re ready to have ten children.”
She frowned up at him. “Family means more than children. And given my age, I’d have to have twins one set after another to have that many kids anyway. Unless you want a constantly pregnant woman with mood swings and a steady stream of weird cravings, you might want to rethink the idea.”
He kissed her forehead. “You and my siblings are enough, zyla. Any children we have will just be extra people to love.”
Her expression softened. “I love it when you let your tough exterior down for me, zylar. It makes me love you even more.”
“Then I will keep trying, my bride, to win as much of your heart as possible. We’re going to need love to survive the coming years. Setting up the colony won’t be easy, but together we can accomplish anything.”
She laid a hand on his cheek. “Our future may be unwritten, but I say we can craft a great one.”
“Not great, zyla. It will be perfect.”
She smiled. “I think it’s time to get you to bed. You’re starting to sound romantic.”
“I can be romantic.”
She snuggled into his chest and murmured, “Of course you can.”
As Taryn’s breathing slowed and she fell asleep, he held her tighter in his arms. He couldn’t write the future, but with Taryn’s love and the support of his family, Kason knew it would be a great one. If he were lucky, it might even be perfect.