Chapter Nine
Azalyn smiled as soon as Vala’s golden-skinned, white-haired head appeared on the screen. “It’s good to see you, Vala. Although maybe someday, it will be merely to talk as friends instead of regarding urgent circumstances.”
“I’m sure both of us are working to create a better future. Once it happens, we’ll have plenty of time to talk,” Vala replied.
Despite being an outcast her entire life and enduring a second-class citizenship, Vala’s optimism never failed to amaze Azalyn. “Maybe you can send me a long-range transmission of what Jasvar is like? Even if I’m not joining you there now, I’m still curious.”
“Of course.” Vala tilted her head. “Although I wish you were here, I’m just glad you’re okay. I’ve been told you had recovered, but it’s not the same thing as talking with you.”
Vala had been with Azalyn and Kelzal on board the Tallarian starship. But shortly after the rescue mission, Vala had been whisked away by her future lord to Jasvar, whereas Azalyn had been brought to the Kelderan palace.
Azalyn replied, “Same for me. Maybe one day you can come here to visit.”
If the laws surrounding the Barren ever changed on Keldera was left unsaid.
Bobbing her head, Vala said, “I hope so. Now, what did you need to talk to me about? Thorin mentioned it was urgent.”
After explaining the female spy in the Kelderan colony on Jasvar and how she and Keltor needed more information, she added, “Which comes to my favor. The Barren see and hear more than most people realize. Do you know of anyone within the citadels who can keep an ear open and report anything suspicious to us?”
“Thorin already explained about the spy here to me. Though why the males act so surprised, I have no idea.” There was a grunt offscreen that Azalyn suspected was Vala’s lord, Thorin Jarrell. Vala ignored the sound. “As for trusting someone in the citadels, my former Barren Mother will help, I know it. She’s always been loyal to the king because of how many favors he granted her citadel. She will probably know of others who also favor the monarchy.”
“Good. I can look up the details of your former citadel from here. Should I just mention your name?”
“My name is a start, but I would include the word ‘guardian’ in the subject. It will signify that a Barren endorses your request,” Vala explained.
“Thanks, Vala.”
“Of course. And one more thing—the human leader of Jasvar, Taryn, shared her female spy-training program with Thorin and Kason. The document also has hints of what to look for in how to identify one. I’m not sure if that will help, but I can send that to you, too, if you like.”
Not for the first time, Azalyn was curious about the matriarchal power structure of the humans on Jasvar. “That would be great. I may read it myself before passing it on to Keltor.”
At the casual use of the crown prince’s name, a question flashed in Vala’s eyes. However, before her friend could ask it, Azalyn added, “I should probably go. But before I do, I wanted to let you know that both Kelzal and I are safe. I’ll send an update with more information when I can. Until next time, Vala.”
Vala opened her mouth, but the light blue face of Thorin Jarrell—Vala’s lord and former general in the Kelderan Army—came on screen. “Don’t end the transmission just yet. I need to talk with Prince Keltor.”
She glanced over her shoulder, to where Keltor was waiting outside the private comm unit. He was watching her through the clear window. She motioned for him to come inside. Once he complied, she said, “Thorin wants to talk to you.”
Azalyn moved out of the way, and Keltor took her place. “What is it, Thorin?”
The warrior grunted. “I’m not sure you want Azalyn in the room for this.”
Holding her breath, Azalyn waited to see what Keltor would do. By all rights, he should send her out of the comm unit space. She had no role in the government or even the prince’s council.
But when he waved a hand in dismissal, she let out her breath, and he said, “She has my trust. Now, talk.”
Since Thorin had spent most of his life in the army, he didn’t question the order. “The head of the Sulani Merchants, Ulrick, has made repeated requests for an audience with you. He’s petitioned not only your brother, but me and the other heads of the military command on Jasvar.”
“Did he say about what?” Keltor asked.
“No, your highness. Just that it was important to the future of Keldera.”
Keltor frowned. “And yet, he now resides on Jasvar.”
“His son, Tyrick, comes every day and waits for an audience to be granted. He’s sitting in the reception area of our military command structure as we speak. What do you wish to do about him?”
“How are the power levels? I know that a long-range transmission consumes a lot of energy.”
Thorin grunted. “Enough for a brief meeting. If I may be forthright, your highness?” Keltor nodded once, and Thorin continued, “It would free up a considerable amount of resources if you would talk with him. The Sulanis would finally leave us alone and allow us to do our jobs instead of placating them at every turn.”
“Then fetch him.”
Thorin made a fist and pounded it over his chest in salute. The instant Thorin’s face disappeared from the screen, Keltor put the comm unit on mute and glanced at Azalyn. “Do you have any idea what this is about?”
“No, I truly don’t. As far as I know, the Sulanis avoid politics at any costs. The merchant business relies on selling to any and all customers, as Ulrick always says.”
“And what about his son?”
She shrugged one shoulder. “I’ve met him a few times. Everyone says Tyrick is being groomed to take over the business.”
“And considering the Sulanis are tied for first when it comes to the most powerful merchant organization on Keldera, that is quite a role.”
She nodded. “Once this is over, I’ll write up what I know and share it with you. The Sulanis may no longer open up to me because of my association with the palace, but I can try.” Azalyn noticed the light teal face of Tyrick, who was only a few years older than herself. She motioned toward the screen. “Keltor, he’s here.”
As Keltor turned to face the comm unit and switched off the mute function, Azalyn strained her ears. When the second-in-command of the Sulani merchants had something important to say, one listened.
~~~
Keltor assessed the dark eyes of Tyrick Sulani, but he didn’t detect any emotion. The male might be a challenge.
Of course, Keltor had dealt with his fair share of challenges before, and he put as much steel into his voice as possible. “Speak, Tyrick Sulani. My time is limited.”
Without missing a beat, Tyrick replied, “The Sulanis have a proposition.”
So much for Azalyn’s adopted family asking about her well-being.
The male also had yet to address him properly as prince. Tyrick Sulani was one to watch. “Then state it.”
As if sensing his misstep, Tyrick bowed his head. “Of course, your highness.” He met Keltor’s gaze again. “While we’ve remained neutral during recent times, not outwardly supporting the pro- or antimonarchy factions, my father has laid plans to secure the future of our business. In order for it to thrive, he believes the monarchy is necessary.”
As much as he wanted to make a dry comment, Keltor kept his voice firm and even. “Explain.”
“Before I begin, let me say that all of this is conditional. Until a deal is reached, no help is being offered.”
“Your license to practice business on Jasvar is conditional. You’d do well to remember that.”
“Yes, your highness.”
The words might be formal, but Tyrick’s tone implied that it wasn’t much of a concern.
Keltor was starting to think the Sulanis had more power than his councilors had realized. He would have to question Azalyn at length later on.
Even a few days ago, he might’ve suspected Azalyn had been deliberately kidnapped, with the intention of him rescuing her. With her in the palace, she could then try to win his affections. But after everything, his gut said that wasn’t the case. He would give Azalyn the benefit of the doubt.
He grunted, and Tyrick spoke again. “Over the past ten years, my father has trained and placed female merchant spies in every major settlement. They blend in with our competitors and pass on any information they find. As you can imagine, we know who is loyal to your highness in much of the business community and who isn’t. That information would be useful.”
Careful to keep any reaction from showing on his face, Keltor wondered just what the Sulanis had put into motion. “If verifiable, it would be useful. However, a skilled merchant would never give up such information for free. Provided it can be verified, what is it that you want?”
Tyrick spoke without hesitation. “If you take Azalyn as your bride, we will offer financial support and provide everything we know about your enemies.”
Keltor wanted to look at Azalyn’s face and see if she was surprised at the news. A flicker of doubt invaded his heart. Had she merely wanted to earn his good graces to advance her family’s cause?
No. A good prince never made a decision without all the facts. He wouldn’t risk losing her forever without hearing her side of the story first.
Keltor asked, “What do you gain from this?”
Azalyn’s whisper filled the space. “Branding. They want the official royal endorsement.”
At her tone, he did glance at her. Her lavender face was pale.
Before he could stop her, Azalyn was at his side and maneuvered her head into the camera space. “Did Ulrick plan all of this? Did he share my location to the Tallarians so that I’d eventually end up in the palace? Did he risk my son’s life so that he could try to increase his future profits?”
“That is not your concern, cousin,” Tyrick stated.
“It is bloody well my concern, Ty. Did you know that I was beaten to within an inch of my life?”
“You wouldn’t have died. That’s all I can say.”
With a growl, Azalyn turned and ran out the room. It took every bit of diplomacy and training Keltor possessed to say coolly, “I will contact you another time.”
Switching off the screen, he ran after Azalyn, in the direction she’d headed. But once he reached the corridor, he didn’t see her multi-colored dress anywhere. He looked to the guard and motioned toward Keltor’s private library.
He dashed inside and found Azalyn pacing the length of the room. “Azalyn.”
Her fierce gaze met his. “I had no idea, Keltor. I swear on Kelzal’s life.”
Not wanting to spook her, he took two steps forward and stopped. “I believe you.”
She blinked and stilled. “What? Why?”
“You are many things, Azalyn, but a good actor isn’t one of them. Your emotions are always close to the surface.”
As she paced again, Azalyn growled, “I can’t believe this. Ulrick was willing to risk my life in order to further his grand scheme. And Kelzal’s…to think what might have happened.”
Keltor closed the distance between them and took one of Azalyn’s hands to keep her from pacing. He never broke his gaze as he answered, “But Kelzal is alive and well. And Ulrick is too skilled a merchant to allow a prized possession to be taken away so easily. I’m sure he had a backup plan.”
“So now I’m a ‘possession?’” She tugged her hand, but Keltor refused to let go. “And why are you so calm? They manipulated you as well, Keltor. I’m sure you see that.”
“I will handle Ulrick and his son later. If they wish to have my good graces, then they have a lot to make up for.”
She huffed. “After everything that’s happened, you still want to work with that bastard?”
“Yes, because he has offered us a chance to be together.”
She shook her head. “He used us, Keltor. You can’t be thinking of taking him up on his offer. No doubt he probably has further plans for you and how to use it to his own advantage. You would be the first person to say a prince should never be in debt to anyone. Owing a favor will only lead to trouble later on.”
He wrapped an arm around Azalyn’s waist. When she didn’t push him away, hope bubbled in his chest. “I will make it plain to them that there will be no lingering favors. And before you say the Sulanis are skilled negotiators, so am I.” He ran a hand up her back to gently grip her neck. “I need you to believe in me. Because if you don’t believe in me, then I’m not sure why anyone should, zyla.”
~~~
Azalyn’s second chance at life had been a lie.
Learning of Toralyn’s existence should’ve been the first warning. However, despite the Sulani family’s problems and squabbles, they’d welcomed her with open arms, and she’d been willing to give them a chance to explain. Not only had they protected her and ensured the safety of her son, but they’d also allowed her to work in their business and had never pushed her to find a lord.
Well, except for her adopted brother in the lead up to and during her brief time aboard the Kelderan colony transport ship. But she had a feeling he’d done that without Ulrick Sulani’s knowledge.
And yet, all of it had been part of Ulrick’s plans. Her stomach churned at the thought of what he’d done with Toralyn. For all she knew, they planned to marry her off to strengthen their political ties. A female bride with royal blood would attract the power-hungry like bugs to jalak nectar.
She’d just have to push Kelzal to allow her to share Toralyn’s existence with Keltor as soon as she had the chance, because one way or another, she’d have to tell Keltor about their daughter or risk losing everything.
Then Keltor offered her a future and even called her zyla—a Kelderan term of endearment a male used for a female they cared about.
Ulrick may have pulled her strings over the years to get her to this point, but from now on, Azalyn would take charge of her own life. “I trust you.” She paused and debated adding the male equivalent to zyla, which was zylar.
Keltor spoke before she could make up her mind. “Good.” He leaned closer. “But I will not force you to be anyone’s bride. The decision must be yours, zyla. What is your desire?”
With the heat of his breath against her cheek, it was hard to concentrate on anything else but Keltor’s proximity. Tempting as it was to kiss him and merely say yes, there was too much at stake. “First I want your honest answer—will an endorsement from the Sulanis and their financial support be enough to prevent war? I have a feeling that not even Ulrick has the power to stop some antimonarchists from rioting or launching some sort of attack.”
No frustration flashed in his eyes at her question, which was one of the reasons why she wanted him as her lord. “One of the council’s potential bride candidates had been the granddaughter of the head of the Treslen merchant family. So I’d say yes, it probably will be.”
The Treslens were tied with the Sulanis for the richest merchants on Keldera. They had also been staunch monarchy supporters for decades.
“Do I even want to know how old the granddaughter is?”
He grimaced. “Twenty. Considering that makes me old enough to be her father, I declined.” He searched her gaze. “One of the main reasons the Sulanis were overlooked was because of your ties with them. My father wanted nothing to remind me of you.”
“I keep hearing about your father, but I’ve never met the man. I think it’s time I did so.”
“Is that a yes, to being my bride?”
“I want to jump into your arms, say yes, and think of a happy future. But until the Sulanis can deliver their promise of information—even a small piece as a sign of good faith before any agreement is signed—I’m not going to give you an answer. There’s also something else I want from them as part of your deal.”
Keltor raised his brows. “Care to elaborate?”
She didn’t hesitate to answer, “As Tyrick mentioned, the Sulanis go against the norm and use females as merchant spies. I think one of the conditions Ulrick needs to meet is to allow you to place some of the trained female spies with the antimonarchy groups. At least for as long as we can keep our intentions secret. It’ll become too dangerous for them if I do become your bride, so this is something we need to put into motion as soon as possible.”
For a few beats, Keltor remained silent. Whether he knew it or not, this was a test. Because if he wanted her as a bride, then he needed to know she would be more than a mother to their children or a female to share his bed. Azalyn wanted to be his partner in all ways.
While it was a borderline treasonous thought, Azalyn believed it was high time for a female to influence the monarchy and their decisions. Females made up about half the population of Keldera and having that many people on your side would be a powerful thing.
Yes, there were many legal challenges they’d have to tackle to start any sort of change. But given what she knew of Keltor’s actions regarding the Kelderan colony on Jasvar, he might be open to them.
He nodded. “I will require Ulrick to help us with infiltrating the antimonarchy groups.”
She let out a breath. “I wasn’t sure if you’d take my suggestion.”
Gently squeezing her neck, he murmured, “I value your brain as much as your body, Azalyn. I may be older, but that preference hasn’t changed.”
For the second time in her life, Azalyn was starting to think things were too good to be true.
No. She wouldn’t allow doubt to ruin whatever chance she had at seizing her future.
Still, she’d never been the best at accepting praise, so she maneuvered the conversation back on track. “When will you talk with Tyrick or his father?”
Keltor didn’t so much as blink at the change in subject. “I’ll request a video conference as soon as possible to construct the initial blueprint for our agreement. Placing the merchant spies will be one-half of their required signs of good faith. That way they can hopefully gather some information before any announcement is made concerning our marriage.”
If Keltor went into the negotiations without knowledge about Toralyn’s existence, it would put him at a disadvantage. “There’s something else you need to know before talking with any of the Sulanis.”
“Which is?”
“I can’t tell you yet. I need to talk to Kelzal first.”
He searched her gaze. “I must contact the Sulanis as soon as possible if we’re to have any hope of placing a few merchant spies among the antimonarchists in time.”
“I know, but please trust me on this, Keltor. There’s something you need to know before going into the negotiations.”
He studied her face and she did her best not to fidget. As much as Keltor proclaimed to want her, he could still order her to tell him whatever she knew.
Moving his hand from her neck to her shoulder, he finally answered, “I believe you. But talk with Kelzal to garner his permission straight away. Meanwhile, I’ll take care of a few matters, but call me as soon as you can, zyla. The sooner we put things in motion, the sooner I can make you mine.”
Staring up at Keltor, the pessimistic barrier around her heart faded a little. Just knowing he believed her when she said something was important meant a great deal. “Thank you.”
He gently kissed her. “Of course. There will always be secrets that must remain so for a short while between us. But I hope we can eventually share everything. I need honesty in my life, Aza. It’s one of the few things that staves off loneliness.”
“Oh, Keltor.” She placed a hand on his cheek. “If everything goes to plan, you’ll never be lonely again.”
He smiled. “I’m going to take that as a conditional yes to being my bride.”
At the tenderness and desire in Keltor’s eyes, her heart skipped a beat. “I do want that future, zylar. But until we have a formal claiming ceremony, I can’t accept that it’ll come true.”
He murmured, “You called me zylar.” He kissed her jaw. “Say it again.”
While she wasn’t one to follow orders blindly, Azalyn didn’t mind this one time. “Zylar.”
With a growl, Keltor took her lips and pulled her up against his body. She nibbled and licked back every chance she could.
And for the first time, she started to think she could have Keltor, Kelzal, and maybe even her daughter.
A family of her own.
Digging her nails into his back, she deepened the kiss. How she’d ever thought another male would suit, she didn’t know.
All too soon Keltor pulled away. “If I don’t stop, I’ll be tempted to claim you.”
Running a hand around to his chest, she murmured, “Such self-control. It makes me wonder what happens when it breaks.”
His voice was husky as he said, “You’ll find out when I have you naked and at my mercy.”
At the heat in his eyes, she shivered. “As much as I liked Keltor the young man, I’m starting to think he aged well.”
“Just don’t call me old.” He nipped her lower lip. “Now as much as I don’t want to go back to reality, you need to talk with Kelzal. Because I don’t know about you, but I want to get the meeting with Tyrick over with so that I can work at securing our future.”
The determination in Keltor’s eyes sparked wickedness inside her. “Before we do”—she ran her hand down between their bodies and lightly brushed the hardness of his trouser-clad cock—“you need to tame this.”
Keltor hissed in a breath. “Keep that up and I’m going to spill my seed like an adolescent.”
She grinned. “That’s almost an invitation for me to try and make it happen.”
After she stroked his hardness a few more time, Keltor grunted. “As much as I loved teenage Azalyn, I’m starting to like this older vixen more.”
She should feel shame for her actions—a proper female would never tease her male in such a way—but with Keltor, it felt…right.
An image of her waking up Keltor by taking his cock into her mouth flashed in her mind. The prince moaned as he fisted her hair and urged her on. She had the power to make him squirm with nothing more than her mouth.
She licked her lips at the idea.
But Keltor’s hand grabbed her wrist, and she snapped back to reality. His voice was gentle as he said, “I would be honored to have you bring me to orgasm, zyla, but there isn’t time.” His free hand cupped her breast. “But I assure you, as soon as we have some, I will show you a few of the fantasies I’ve built up over the years. And believe me, many of them are with you at my mercy and screaming my name.”
“Keltor.”
He released her and stepped away. As if to ease the sting of his distance, he took her hand in his. “Now, let’s each go to our tasks.” He glanced at her with amusement in his eyes. “And I assure you I’ll be fully deflated before I reach my destination.”
She snorted. “Not for the first time, I’m grateful that I can hide my desires by merely controlling the color of my markings. I would never want to be a male.”
“I will forever be grateful you were born female.” He squeezed her hand. “Now, let’s work on securing our own future.” He released her and motioned for her to exit ahead of him.
As she walked past, she touched Keltor’s shoulder one last time for support. Convincing Kelzal that Azalyn had no choice but to share Toralyn’s existence wasn’t going to be easy. She only hoped she didn’t lose what little trust she had from her son in the process.