Chapter Two
Present Day
Prince Keltor tro el Vallen stared down at Azalyn’s unconscious body and willed for her to wake up. It’d been over a week since he’d had to watch the dishonorable Tallarian male assault her in front of his eyes. True, her lip had healed and the bruising on her face was fading, but he was far more worried about her internal injuries. Not even the doctors knew what the long-term effects might be.
Even though his political skill had ultimately saved her, it didn’t seem enough. And not just because he wanted to hear her voice again, either.
No, the son Keltor hadn’t known about until last week was anxious to talk to her, too. The boy was nearly as difficult to read as Keltor’s younger brother, Kason. And considering Keltor had no idea how to act around his newly discovered son, they had barely managed anything beyond a few civilities. The boy was more concerned with his research work than what his future entailed as a Kelderan prince and heir to the throne.
Not that Keltor could blame him. After all, Keltor had been young once, too, and had wanted to carve his own path. But Kelzal’s heritage had been confirmed—he was Keltor and Azalyn’s son. There was no going back. He would formally announce the boy as his heir in the coming weeks.
After all, Keldera needed reassurance about the succession. Maybe one day Kelzal would recognize the importance of his existence and stop disliking and avoiding him.
As Keltor stared down at the lavender skin of Azalyn’s neck, he decided that she might be able to help him sway Kelzal toward accepting his fate.
She just needed to wake up first.
One of Keltor’s personal royal guards, Xerlig, cleared his throat and brought him back to the present. The sound meant Keltor should consider leaving for his next task.
Sometimes, all he wanted was for people to speak freely with him, like Azalyn had done when they were younger.
Not wanting to think of what he had easily given up over twenty years ago, Keltor turned toward Xerlig. “Inform those who should know that I’m headed for Kelzal’s quarters.”
To his credit, the guard didn’t so much as blink at the change in Keltor’s schedule. “As you wish, your highness.”
After one last look at Azalyn’s still form, Keltor strode out of the room. Guards walked in front of and behind him, but he paid them little attention. They were as familiar a sight as his own face in the mirror.
When they finally arrived, the guards in front of him stopped to the left side of Kelzal’s door and the ones behind him to the right. He looked from one set to another as he said, “I’m going in alone.”
Ervan, the highest ranking and most trusted guard assigned to Keltor, clenched his jaw a fraction but remained silent. He would air his grievances in private later; he wouldn’t question the prince’s authority in front of the others.
While tempted to use the override code to enter Kelzal’s room, Keltor forced himself to press his finger to the chime touchpad.
One second passed and then another. The computer would’ve identified Keltor via his fingerprint and the thought that Kelzal didn’t want to see him sat heavy in his stomach. The boy was much more than security for the Kelderan throne; Keltor wanted to know his son. He’d never admit it aloud, but he desperately wished he could rewind the clock and raise the boy with Azalyn.
To be the father he had always wanted to be, but at age forty-two, had thought would never happen.
However, time travel wasn’t possible, and he couldn’t change the past. All Keltor could do was try to make a better future for all, starting with Kelzal and Azalyn.
The door finally opened to reveal Kelzal’s golden-skinned face. The boy’s green eyes met Keltor’s dark brown for a second before looking off to the side. “What do you want?”
Since the royal guard already knew about Kelzal’s heritage, they didn’t ask the boy to speak with respect to the future king.
Keltor gestured inside the room. “May I come in? I have something I wish to discuss.”
“You can have five minutes, but then I have to go back to work,” Kelzal replied.
“I will take whatever you give me, Kelzal.”
The young man met his gaze again before turning away. “Then hurry up. The clock has started.”
Keltor moved inside. The instant the door closed, he spoke again. “Have you received everything you need in order to continue your work?”
Kelzal focused on a disassembled device on a table. “Why ask me that? I’m sure you receive reports about my requests.”
A snarky comment was on the tip of Keltor’s tongue, but he ignored it. “Data doesn’t tell me everything. I’m trying to ensure you’re comfortable.”
“Odd, considering I’m a prisoner.”
“You’re here for your protection. While the formal announcement of your heritage is scheduled for a few weeks from now, rumors have started about who you are. Even if you’ve buried your nose in your work for years, you should still know about the antimonarchy factions. You’re now a target, Kelzal. You must accept that your life will never be the same.”
Kelzal tossed down the electronic components he’d been studying and met Keltor’s gaze. “I never asked for this.”
“And neither did I.”
Kelzal blinked. “What?”
Since politeness had gotten him nowhere, Keltor was going to be blunt. “I wasn’t much younger than you when I wanted to run away with your birth mother and live a normal life. But believe it or not, it was Azalyn who convinced me that leaving would hurt too many people. We don’t always ask for certain responsibilities, but if you’re anything like me, then you know that sometimes you must give up your own wants for the greater good. For you, the greater good is developing technological research that can eventually save lives. For me, it’s keeping the world in one piece. And for better or worse, you’re now a part of that.”
“But why? You have a brother and he has a pregnant bride. The succession is all but guaranteed.”
Keltor raised an eyebrow. “I commend your initiative in gathering that information, but yet again, the data doesn’t tell you everything. Kason would never leave his human bride, and she will never leave Jasvar. Not to mention the fact that most Kelderans would never accept a half-human ruler. Unless I’m fortunate enough to have more children, you are key in keeping Keldera from civil war.”
“Not true. Disband the traitors and it will ensure peace.”
“Unless you have a foolproof plan, that isn’t possible right now.”
“So if I find a way to disband the threats, I can go back to my old life?”
Keltor had no right to expect anything of Kelzal, but the male’s fervent desire to leave twisted his heart a little. “Perhaps. I’m not about to agree to anything until Azalyn wakes up.”
The anger in Kelzal’s eyes faded to concern. “Is she worse?”
“No.”
Nor was she better, but Keltor wasn’t about to say that.
Silence stretched. He wanted to ask his son about his work, his childhood, and a whole lot more. He was hungry to learn about the son he’d sired.
And yet, Keltor’s father was waiting for him. If the Kelderan king were healthy, he might ignore the meeting. But King Kastor was closer to death every day. While they had never been close, he and Kastor had started to talk more as of late. Considering Keltor would be ascending the throne soon, he needed all the wisdom he could glean from his father while he still had the chance.
Keltor nodded at Kelzal. “I’ll let you know if Azalyn’s condition changes. Regardless, I want you to have dinner with me later.”
“I’m busy.”
“Then work harder to make up for the lost time. Dinner is not a request.”
Before Kelzal could reply, Keltor exited the room and headed in the direction of his father’s quarters. His guards accompanied him.
The end of his conversation may not have gone the way Keltor had envisioned, but he didn’t regret it. The young man had a bit of Azalyn’s temper and stubbornness, which meant sometimes Keltor would have to be firm.
He only hoped that the next time he saw Kelzal, he could sound a little less like his own father and more like the father Keltor wished to be.
~~~
Azalyn Rippak Sulani heard the whirring and beeping of the machines. The only problem was that no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t move her body, let alone open her eyes.
Yes, there was also dull pain emanating from her jaw, ribs, and abdomen, but she could handle that. Her injuries would heal.
Lying still and being powerless, on the other hand, was going to drive her crazy.
Of all the possible futures she’d imagined, being trapped in her own body hadn’t been one of them.
Enough. It was time to stop whining and do something, anything, to pass the time. Because if she had to count the beeps of her heart one more time, she might go mad.
More than that, if she couldn’t wake up, she would never get to talk with her son again.
Thinking of her intelligent, handsome boy, Azalyn decided to forget about opening her eyes and focus on something easier, such as moving a finger.
After who knew how many minutes or even hours had passed, she still hadn’t wiggled the digit. There had to be something else she could try.
As she lay there, thinking of a new plan, male voices filled the room.
The first one was a doctor she’d heard earlier in the day. “I’m not sure if this will work, your highness. I’d rather run more tests to ensure the proper dosage.”
Azalyn wasn’t surprised to hear Keltor’s deep voice state, “I trust the Jasvarians and their recommendation. Despite her better judgment, my sister already used herself as a guinea pig so we know it’s safe for Kelderans.”
Wait, how had they received something from Jasvar? Unless it had been sent via an express delivery pod. But that would’ve cost Keltor a small fortune.
The doctor interrupted her thoughts. “Ms. Sulani could still be allergic, and it could kill her. Since her files were scrubbed from the Kelderan database, I don’t know anything about her medical history.”
Keltor’s father had erased Azalyn from all Kelderan records, she was sure of it.
Keltor hesitated before replying, “She had no allergies in her youth. Unless she developed new allergies in adulthood, she would want to chance it.”
“That’s dangerous, your highness.”
But exactly what I’d want to do. Damn Keltor and knowing her after all these years.
For a split second, nervousness gripped her heart. If the remedy worked, she would soon be face-to-face with Keltor. He’d probably dismiss the doctor so that he could speak with her alone.
Over the years, she’d thought of plenty of things to say to him. Part of her wanted to scold him for what he’d done, but another part was curious about the male who had orchestrated her rescue.
As much as she hated to think rationally, she and Keltor had been teenagers when her life had come crashing down. If he’d known about Kelzal, she didn’t doubt that Keltor would’ve done right by her. Marriage might’ve been out of the question, but he would’ve kept her safe and provided for her.
And yet, she hadn’t wanted him to “do right” by her because of a surprise pregnancy. All she’d ever wanted back then was Keltor the male. Her foolish, teenage self had wanted him to want Azalyn for herself, too.
Not that it mattered. Given the state of Keldera and the growing antimonarchy faction, Keltor would never risk taking a commoner with no wealth or advantageous connections as his bride. On top of that, Azalyn had no wish to deal with the platitudes and geniality required of prominent public figures.
The sooner she could tell him that, the better.
Keltor’s commanding tone broke through her thoughts. “I will take full responsibility for what happens. I refuse to wait, especially as each day lessens her chance of waking up. Or, so you’ve said.”
“But your highness, Jasvar is a primitive culture compared to our own. I’m not sure we should trust their strange medicinal plants.”
Keltor didn’t miss a beat. “Prince Kason and Princess Kalahn recommended this medicine. Unless you’re questioning the entire royal family—my father would agree with me—then I suggest you give Ms. Sulani her injection.”
The doctor’s commanding tone was replaced with a complacent one. “Yes, your highness.”
While Azalyn had noted Keltor’s self-confidence and ease with command briefly back on board the Tallarian ship, when he’d been communicating with her captor via the video comms, it was strange to hear it again in person.
Keltor was indeed a grown male and not the unsure teenager of their youth, who had struggled to find his place in the world.
Something pricked her skin. A few seconds later, a burning flood of fire rushed through her body and forced her to gasp. Without thinking, her eyes popped open.
But she didn’t have a chance to revel in that fact. Her entire body screamed in pain. Arching her back against it, she couldn’t control her own voice.
As soon as her cries filled the room, a strong, warm hand cupped her cheek. “Just a few more seconds and it will pass, Azalyn,” Keltor said.
Tears streamed down her cheeks, and she was about to stop fighting against the pain to welcome oblivion when it vanished as quickly as it had come. Slumping onto the bed, she tried to catch her breath.
Keltor’s face appeared above her own. She tried to make her voice work, but all that came out was a croak. He never took his gaze from hers as he said in his infamous calm, princely voice, “Don’t try speaking just yet. Let me give you some water.”
He removed his hand, and she tried to raise her arm to get his attention. But Azalyn’s body was heavy to the point she couldn’t do more than raise her fingers a few inches.
The male voice of the doctor filled the space. “May I examine her now?”
Even in her exhausted state, Azalyn easily detected the frustration in the doctor’s voice.
“In one second.” Keltor gently placed his hand under her head to lift it and put a wet cloth to her lips. “If you can manage it, take as much water from the cloth as you can.”
Once a few drops of water slid down her throat, she met Keltor’s eyes to say she was done.
However, the fierceness she saw would’ve made her blink in any other circumstance. Keltor had to fully trust the doctor in the room to reveal so much emotion.
Though why he directed it at her, Azalyn had no idea. If anything, she expected him to be angry at her for keeping their son’s existence a secret for over two decades.
Kelzal. She wanted to ask about her son since he hadn’t visited once while she’d been somewhat conscious. Was he okay? Had the Tallarians seen through the threat and killed him? Had everything she’d tried to do been for naught?
The prince murmured, “Kelzal is safe, as is the Barren named Vala. While Vala has already gone to Jasvar, I’ll bring Kelzal by later, after you’ve had a chance to rest.”
Vala was Azalyn’s friend and had also been a prisoner onboard the Tallarian ship.
Her heart thumped a little slower at knowing both Vala and Kelzal were safe.
Studying Keltor’s eyes, she wondered how he could still read her expressions after so many years. He had always been good with languages. Maybe body language was one of his talents as well.
Keltor finally removed the cloth from her mouth and laid her head back on the bed. Once the prince turned away from her, the doctor stepped forward and began feeling and prodding parts of her body.
She paid the doctor little attention. Her gaze lingered on Keltor’s back and broad shoulders. At least, until the doctor pressed against her lower abdomen and she winced at the stabbing pain. If she could talk, she probably would’ve screamed.
The doctor ceased his movements. “Your womb is still tender and swollen. I must run some more tests. I’m afraid your visit must conclude here, your highness.”
Keeping his back to her and the doctor, Keltor replied, “I will return soon.”
As he walked toward the exit, Azalyn whispered, “Keltor.”
His gait paused a split second before he opened the door and left Azalyn alone with the doctor.
Keltor’s exit shouldn’t bother her. She was nothing to him, and he should be nothing to her.
But even if she’d admit it to no one else, she’d reveled in his gentle touch and protectiveness. Not to mention that at least some of their familiarity from their former years seemed to linger.
She wanted to frown. No. She wouldn’t wish for anything more than a formal relationship with the prince. She’d been a fool once, and she wanted nothing to do with males. Well, beyond helping her own son.
Azalyn most definitely wouldn’t fall for the charms of a prince again. Given how close Keldera sat to a civil war between the pro- and antimonarchy factions, Keltor must find a bride with desirable political connections. Maybe even a female with a wealthy family willing to help fund military campaigns would be acceptable, especially if matters devolved into war.
In other words, not her.
As the doctor called in a few nurses, Azalyn listened to everything they said. For the present, her health was all that mattered. She would heed any and all of their advice. Only then could she see her son and discover a new path for her life. Because as long as Kelzal remained on Keldera, so would she. Her dream of starting over on a new colony was no longer an option.