Chapter Eighteen
Azalyn struggled to remain on her feet. Between the gash oozing on her cheek, her throbbing ribcage, and the ringing in her ears from being throttled by one of the guards, she wanted nothing more than to crumple into a heap.
And yet, she remembered Kelzal’s face and found the strength to stand tall. The Tallarians wanted her to cry and beg for forgiveness. After all, what better way to disarm Keltor than to show him a whimpering female he’d once cared about.
Too bad she’d rather die than give in to their wishes. Surely there had to be a way to ensure Kelzal’s safety without manipulating Keltor into whatever the Tallarians wanted from him.
Never did she think it’d come to a choice between protecting her son versus all of Keldera. Maybe her decision to keep Kelzal’s birth a secret had been a mistake.
Stop it, Azalyn. A game of what might have been wasn’t going to solve anything.
The head guard pulled back his arm and was about to punch her again when the leader’s voice boomed, “Enough. The prince has finally responded to our transmission.”
The guard moved away and stood with his arms at his sides.
She wasn’t sure if she was glad for the interruption or not. After all, Keltor may dismiss her as unimportant. If she had no value, the Tallarians would probably kill them all without thought.
Unless they knew the truth about Keltor being Kelzal’s father. She clung to the hope that most Tallarians thought all Kelderans looked the same, except for slightly different skin colors.
Before she could worry about yet another unfavorable outcome, Keltor’s face appeared on the screen at the side of the room.
Azalyn must be out of range of the video transmitter as Keltor focused solely on the Tallarian leader. Even if he didn’t recognize her, she didn’t think he was the type of a male to ignore the sight of a beaten female.
Keltor was older, but she’d known that. Despite her best efforts to block him from her life, the crown prince’s face had occasionally surfaced in the media and on public display boards.
However, the view screen showed his face in clearer detail. Not that the lines near his eyes or the worn furrows of his brows made him any less handsome. Keltor’s brows hid secrets she’d once been able to ferret out. On top of the mystery and good looks, his confidence only added to his appeal.
She was starting to remember why she’d fallen for him in the first place.
Keltor’s voice gained her full attention. “Where is she?”
As the guard pushed her forward, Azalyn’s heart rate ticked up. She’d barely managed to keep from tumbling over when she finally caught Keltor’s eye.
His expression remained assessing as he took in her appearance. However, if she was expecting anger or any sign of concern for her well-being, she found none.
For the first time, she truly wondered if she’d have to reveal the secret of their son in order to save him. Keltor may not care about her any longer, but Azalyn would do anything to keep Kelzal alive. If Keltor knew the truth, he would go to great lengths to secure his heir. He might even launch an attack on her captors.
Keltor’s commanding voice echoed inside the room. “Kidnapping any Kelderan citizen is forbidden by the treaty we signed with your people. Harming any of them is nearly a declaration of war.”
The Tallarian leader waved toward her. “We can talk treaties or you can save her life. Declare war on the Brevkan and I will release her.”
Keltor didn’t so much as blink at the odd request. “I assume your government doesn’t know about any of this, am I correct?”
The leader barked something in Tallarian. No sooner had a guard exited, then Keltor asked, “What son?”
Of course Keltor would understand Tallarian. She’d forgotten about his proclivity with languages.
The Tallarian leader hissed, “That is unimportant. Declare war on the Brevkan and I will spare the lives of all my Kelderan prisoners. Refuse, and they all die.”
“You believe you have more power than you do, Tallarian. Tread carefully,” Keltor said calmly.
But as Kelzal was dragged into the room, she forgot about Keltor and looked to her son. Panic clawed at her throat. For all her talk of protecting him, she was powerless.
A sob threatened to escape, but Keltor’s voice cut through her emotions. “Azalyn.”
At the steel in his voice, she met his eyes. He gave an imperceptible nod, as if to say he would handle it.
She had no reason to believe him, let alone trust him. But for him to reassure her without even seeing Kelzal’s face first gave her some hope that Keltor already had a plan.
The guards finally dragged Kelzal into the viewing area of the video transmission. Keltor’s jaw clenched ever so slightly. No one else would notice the action, but even after two decades, she could still read the man who’d once had her heart.
Keltor recognized Kelzal as his son.
The strength in Keltor’s eyes intensified as he said, “I’m giving you one last chance to surrender before I contact your government. Tallarian punishments are more severe than Kelderan ones. Refusing me equates death to you and your immediate families.”
“I’m doing this to protect my government. You denied our request for assistance against our common enemy. However, if you declare war on the Brevkan, they will fight with you and leave us alone.” He flicked a finger and a guard punched Azalyn in the side of the head. She stumbled and fell to her knees. The leader’s voice barely cut through the ringing in her ears. “Either agree, or I kill her.”
The guard kicked her side. Pain exploded throughout her entire body. She slumped to the ground and struggled to breathe.
There was a roar followed quickly by some kind of alert.
But someone hit her again and the world went black.
~~~
For one of the first times in his life, Keltor was grateful for his years of training to conceal emotions. All monarchs needed to appear calm, regardless of the situation.
But seeing Azalyn’s battered face had made him want to kill the males responsible.
Not that he had much time to think of revenge, because soon after, a young male who looked a lot like Keltor during his younger days had come on screen.
Azalyn’s son.
And judging by the age and looks, Keltor’s as well.
He would have plenty of time to be angry and demand answers later. His main concern was rescuing Azalyn before they killed her.
When a Tallarian male punched her and Azalyn stumbled to her knees, Keltor pushed a button on the panel in front of him.
Time to launch his plan.
Before talking with the Tallarians, he had taken General Thorin’s warning seriously. Kelderan fighters near the Tallarian border had been put at the ready and teleportation privileges granted.
The flash of words on the panel in front of him confirmed that the fighters were on the move.
Red alerts flashed on the Tallarian’s ship just as Azalyn slumped to the floor. Keltor motioned for one of his top warriors to man the seat. “Continue recording this transmission and keep me updated on what happens. I must reach out to the Tallarian government.”
The warrior complied without question. Keltor took one last look at Azalyn’s still body and forced himself to exit the room.
He wanted to be the one to rush in and rescue her, especially since she’d only been taken to be used as a pawn against him. However, Keltor’s father was too ill to talk with any diplomats, which left diplomacy up to him. Since Keltor was going to accuse the Tallarians of violating their treaty, he needed to be the one to reach out to them.
Despite being the crown prince, Keltor was powerless in situations that mattered to him personally.
Clenching his fingers, he vowed to finish his business as soon as possible. Provided Azalyn and her son were brought back alive, he wanted to arrange things so that he could meet with them in private. His position could afford him that much, at least.
Once at the private comm unit, Keltor keyed in his special access code, followed by the direct line to the High Minister of Tallaria, Bavvixx. After another series of passwords, the computer asked him to wait.
Within a few minutes, the yellow, wrinkled skin of Bavvixx, dressed in shiny black robes, came on the line. Since this wasn’t the first time they had spoken, the High Minister spoke in Tallarian without preamble. “Prince Keltor. Your request was flagged urgent. What is it you wish to discuss?”
Keltor replied in the same language, “My concern rests with our treaty. A male who identified himself as Cevniv kidnapped at least three of my citizens and injured one severely.”
He hated to downplay Azalyn’s abuse, but Tallarians disliked subjective quantifiers.
“And the proof?”
“I have a recording that will be sent to you at your request. As much as it troubles me to ask, I must know if you were aware of these transgressions.”
Bavvixx didn’t miss a beat. “No. The Tallarians enjoy a peaceful trade partnership with Keldera. We wish no harm to your citizens, despite your refusal to help us drive away the Brevkan.”
Keltor wasn’t about to reveal the uneasiness among his own people to a hated former enemy, treaty or no treaty. “I regret that we could not assist. However, as you know, we are still recovering from our long war with the Brevkan. I could not bring the same fight back to our planet so soon. But I will try my best to rally supplies to ease your burdens a fraction, provided our treaty remains intact.”
In other words, if Azalyn’s captors were declared as fair game as far as retaliation and punishment, Keltor would send supplies.
The double-speak of diplomacy wasted time, but he wasn’t about to risk challenging tradition at such a critical point.
Bavvixx finally replied, “As soon as we see proof of the transgressions, I will issue a retrieval warrant.”
Keltor typed in a few commands on the flat panel, copied the relevant section of the recorded event. “I will send you part of it now.”
He hit Send. Bavvixx looked down when it reached him. The audio of the footage came over the transmission. Keltor dug his nails into his thigh at the sounds of Azalyn’s pain.
Bavvixx met his eyes again. “I assure you that neither the government nor I endorsed these activities. Please retrieve your people. Any remaining transgressors will be dealt with according to our laws.”
“One more thing, High Minister. We suspect the same transgressors kidnapped about forty other Kelderans a little before these three were taken. I request permission for our army to investigate space in the Tallarian zone, to try and find them.”
The sound muted as Bavvixx talked with someone off-screen. Keltor may be fluent in Tallarian, but he wasn’t skilled enough to read lips.
When the High Minister met his gaze again, the sound returned. “We do not wish to have the entirety of the Kelderan army near our planet. However, two ships may enter and investigate, provided they keep in contact with our own defense forces. If there are any signs of the Brevkan or other possible enemies, they must report it to us immediately.”
“Provided my ships are not required to engage the enemies at your command, that is agreeable. However, if any of your people fire or attack them, they will have permission to defend themselves without question.”
“None of our respected defenders will attack without provocation, you have my word.”
Keltor nodded. “Then we are agreed, High Minister. Once we have rescued our three people from the transgressor, my army will be in contact with your government.”
As soon as the High Minister signed off, Keltor strode out of the private comm unit room and back to his temporary command center. He said, “Permission granted for operation. Retrieve and bring back our people by any means necessary.”
A number of Kelderan warriors teleported onto the bridge of the Tallarian vessel. He watched each development, anxious to see Azalyn and her son rescued.
While he instinctively knew the young male was his son, too, Keltor wasn’t mentally prepared to call him that. For the time being, ensuring his safety was more important. Dealing with the ramifications of a secret child would have to wait.
~~~
Inside Vala’s cell, two Kelderans materialized out of thin air. She barely had time to blink when they took hold of her arms and energy blasted through her body.
In the next second, she stood inside a small room with a few Kelderan warriors furiously tapping on flat panels in front of them. A younger warrior swept her off her feet and carried her out of the room. Vala just glimpsed the two warriors disappearing again before the room vanished from her sight.
Throwing every protocol aside, she looked to the young warrior carrying her. “What happened? Where are my friends? And more importantly, where am I?”
The young warrior grunted. “You will find out soon enough.”
The male finally entered a medical ward and gently laid her on an exam platform. A doctor she didn’t recognize began scanning her vital signs with the necessary instruments.
Vala looked around the room but didn’t see Azalyn or Kelzal. “What about my friends?”
The doctor never ceased his actions. “Others should be arriving soon. That is all I know. Now, lay still and let me do my job.”
Doctors were usually friendlier than most other Kelderans when it came to the Barren since Vala’s kind often assisted in the worst epidemics. So she tended to believe the doctor wasn’t dismissing her out of expediency, but rather that he truly didn’t know.
She managed to stay still, but never took her gaze from the door. She only hoped Azalyn was still alive to be rescued.
And while it was foolish, she wondered if Thorin would come.
The doctor injected her with a nourishment supplement. “While your blood sugar levels are low due to malnourishment, you should recover. However, my orders are to keep you in a sick room until otherwise instructed.”
“By who’s orders?”
The doctor’s eyebrows shot up. “I’m going to ignore your transgression and simply answer your question. My orders come from the palace. I would suggest you follow the request and remain here.”
After a final check at her vital signs, the doctor exited the room and the door locked behind him.
Vala sat up and clenched her fingers. She was tired of people locking her up one way or another.
But until she knew Azalyn and Kelzal were safe, she would stay in her new cell and not try to escape.
However, she should still have the highest form of access to records and databases, thanks to Thorin; she couldn’t imagine him revoking it. Standing up, she waited a minute to ensure her balance before going to the computer panel in the room. Typing in her credentials, she held her breath until the access screen appeared. She might not be able to do anything with regards to the ship she was on since each vessel had its own type of clearance. But she soon found the secure army information hub, used to broadcast unclassified information to all warriors.
Vala scanned the headlines but found nothing related to her case. While foolish, she kept refreshing the screen until her door opened and she quickly exited the program. The doctor from before motioned for her to follow him. “I’m going to need your help.”
Not wasting time, Vala went through a few rooms until she came to one where Azalyn’s unconscious and bloody form lay on an operating table.
The faint beeping declared she was still alive, but her pulse was weak.
Vala wanted nothing more than to rush to her friend’s side and help her. But Vala’s knowledge of surgery was limited. She only knew how to assist, with ample amount of instruction from a doctor.
Drawing on years of experience with regards to sectioning off emotion, Vala rushed to the doctor and listened to his orders. All that mattered was ensuring Azalyn survived. The brave, strong-willed female deserved a chance to have a future and get to know her son.
~~~
Thorin was close to punching a wall or two.
It’d been an hour since the prince’s last transmission.
However, to act without the prince contacting him again could be considered treason since Thorin had been instructed to wait.
Of course, waiting around meant Thorin couldn’t do anything to help Vala or his missing warriors. Maybe his drive to become a general had been misplaced. Giving it up to live on Jasvar, with Vala hopefully at his side, was starting to look like the best future.
When the transmission request rolled in, he quickly hit Receive. Prince Keltor’s face filled the screen. “I have a mission for you, one of the most delicate and sensitive in nature. Will you accept?”
“First, can you tell me if the kidnapped Kelderans are okay?”
“The females are fine, although we’re still searching for the warriors. Now, will you accept my mission?”
Vala was alive.
He wanted to demand her location and rush to her side. But Thorin bit the inside of his cheek to keep emotion from his face, and most importantly his eyes. He couldn’t allow them to glow in view of anyone but Vala.
Since he needed to remain in Prince Keltor’s good graces, he answered, “I accept, your highness.”
Prince Keltor typed something on a panel in front of him and a privacy barrier descended behind him. “What I’m about to say must remain secret. A slow death awaits if you violate my trust in you, General Thorin.”
Thorin bowed his head. “You have my vow of secrecy.”
“Good. I’m sending you a set of coordinates, which will put you in teleportation range of one of our fighter ships. Several other vessels will ensure your shuttle’s safe return to the rendezvous point.”
Panic flared. Teleportation could bring out a rage. Thorin might only be half-Brevkan, but it was still possible.
Then Vala’s words about him being a good male and being able to resist his despicable urges came back to him. Maybe he could contain his Brevkan-half if it meant finding a way to Vala’s side once more.
If not, Thorin would be gunned down once he arrived on the other side.
It was a risk he was willing to take. “Yes, your highness.”
Keltor lowered his voice. “Your task is to bring my son and his mother to me without incident.”
He frowned. “You have a son?”
“I don’t have time to explain. A few select warriors will be assigned to assist you with the mission, and one trusted general will take over command of your shuttle and the colony transport ship. No one else must find out about my son’s existence. Understood?”
“Yes, Prince Keltor.”
“You’ll receive further information once you’re aboard the fighter ship. My brother highly recommended your skills prior to your promotion to general. I hope he was correct. I will contact you again later.”
The coordinates came in via a written transmission. Thorin bypassed the pilot’s control panel and manually inputted their new destination.
Once complete, he disengaged the privacy screen and looked to his men. “I have a new mission. Once we reach a certain destination, a new general will be assigned to you. I entrust you to return this shuttle to the colony ship in one piece.”
All the males saluted him. None of them asked any questions, which displayed their experience and understanding that sometimes a warrior had to follow orders without knowing why.
As the ship changed course and headed to the new bearing, Thorin looked to the most senior ranking member of his team. “In order to recharge, I must meditate before my new mission. You have command, but if we are attacked or in danger, interrupt my session.”
“Aye, aye, sir.”
Thorin went to the small room toward the rear reserved for meditation practices. Once he sat on the hard floor, he closed his eyes. Piece by piece he brought Vala’s form to mind. If the prince had told the truth, he would soon be holding his sweet female in his arms again.
Selfish as he was, he yearned to caress every inch of her body before taking her as many times as she allowed. He wanted to escape to his haven from the madness once more.
For the present, he used his memories to try to prevent any visions for the foreseeable future. As he focused on Vala’s smile and the warmth in her eyes, he hoped she would also be able to help him survive the teleportation.
After an indeterminate amount of time, a voice came over the line. Vala’s form vanished and Thorin opened his eyes to the dimly lit room. “What is it?”
“A Kelderan fighter ship is in range, sir.”
Standing up, Thorin moved toward the door. Once he stood in the main control section, he looked to the view screen.
The familiar reddish-brown color of all Kelderan vessels filled his view. Judging by the length, number of thrusters, and visible weaponry, it was one of the ships used in the most dangerous battlefields of space.
He wondered if Keldera and Tallaria had gone to war.
The incoming secure transmission light blinked. Thorin nodded, and his warrior opened the channel.
The face and upper torso of a warrior in his forties came on screen. Thorin knew the male by name. “General Lorrick.”
Lorrick nodded curtly. “General Thorin. Prepare to be teleported in sixty seconds. I will take over command of your shuttle and crew shortly thereafter. End transmission.”
The screen turned dark.
Thorin looked to his warriors. “I entrust the care of this ship to you and General Lorrick. May you reach your destination and fulfill your duty.”
Each of the warriors saluted.
Moving toward the center of the room, Thorin stood and firmly affixed Vala’s image into his mind. He needed to do whatever it took to see her again, even if it meant suppressing a rage.
As the energy danced against his skin, Thorin closed his eyes. In the next second, light filled his vision, along with a rush of heat.
When his skin finally cooled, he could feel a hard surface under his feet.
But in the next second, images of him decapitating fellow warriors flooded his mind, followed closely by Thorin laughing as he ripped off limbs.
His eyes popped open. The warrior standing in front of Thorin took a step back. The male’s fear stoked a burning need to cull the weak. A warrior was never supposed to display fear.
With a roar, Thorin headed toward the male. The warrior turned and ran. Thorin pushed himself harder at the man’s cowardice, tossing aside anyone who tried to get into his way.
“Thorin, stop!”
The sweet female’s voice made him stop in his tracks. She was familiar.
Turning, he saw the silver-haired form of Vala. His possession.
More shouts and gasps filled the air. The males near his female all took steps back.
He should claim her and protect her from the cowardly males.
He moved toward the one currently touching her arm. But before he could reach the male, Vala rushed up to him and pressed herself against his body.
Instinctively his arm went around her, to stake a claim for all to see. She said, “It’s me, Thorin. Come back to me or they’ll kill you.”
Her lips danced against his bare chest, and his rage subsided a fraction. “They will never defeat me. I must protect you.”
She looked up and placed a soft hand on his cheek. “You must resist the urges, Thorin. Please.”
At the desperation in her voice, his anger lessened a fraction. “But they must understand your worth and respect you.” He growled at the nearest warrior. “I am the only one who can do that.”
She stroked his skin and murmured, “They don’t matter, Thorin. All I want is for you to come back to me. Can you do that? Please.”
He didn’t like his female’s tone. She should never have to beg him for anything.
Vala kissed his jaw and his angered lessened a little more. “Vala? Is it really you?”
She smiled at him. The action banished his violent images. “It is.”
Uncaring about the others, Thorin lowered his head and kissed his female.