Empress Hiding Page 25

  Jaylis shook his head in disbelief as he turned to catch up with Rafal.

  “Prime Magistrate!”

  Rafal acted as though Jaylis were no more than a fly buzzing around him as he grunted in response – his pace slowing not in the least.

  “Legate Nomadon is one of the Empire’s oldest Councilors. The Khedive will not …”

  Without warning, Rafal turned on Jaylis and, without laying a hand on the Captain, quickly pinned him against the wall of the passageway with his sheer bulk.

  Oh, Rafal’s beast wanted Jaylis in the worst way – wanted his blood and his body splayed all over the passageway, and Rafal fought to control it.

  But probably not as hard as he could have.

  “Your Khedive will not what, Jaylis?” Rafal and his beast seethed in unison at the sniveling Captain until both Jaylis’ and his monsecrit’s gaze was lowered in a submissive gesture.

  “I meant no affront, Prime Magistrate,” Jaylis kept his gaze downward not wishing to provoke the Prime Magistrate as the Captain knew the beast already had a taste of violence to encourage it.

  Rafal snarled at him – the Prince’s eyes glowing with an eerie green heat.

  “Your Khedive is not here, Jaylis,” a growl that could only be his beast emanated from his chest, “I am your Prime Magistrate so, I suggest you remember your place, Captain,” Rafal turned and continued striding toward his suite, “At least while it is still yours to hold.”

  Jaylis just stood as disbelief crawled all over him. What had gotten into the Prime Magistrate?

  Jaylis decided to let it go for now – he still needed to look into the identity of the mouthy puta that had been with the Prime Magistrate before his arrival to the dining area earlier.

  Then Jaylis shook his head – no, that was not a priority right now. What was a priority was getting a copy of that trade treaty to Khedive Sadid – that had to be his priority.

  And still there was no word from his newest Teyman Didas – the one guard on his Detail that had not come with him from the ranks of the Perce Guard in Tristanin when he had been transferred to this position as Black Captain.

  Jaylis frowned to himself as he walked, trying to recall the last time he had seen the talented youth with the unnervingly long braid – although such did not seem to hinder his fighting abilities at all. The young male had definitely accompanied the group in the transfer to the public shuttle because all of his belongings had been on his bunk – private accommodations that had puzzled Jaylis, but a sure mix-up that he would deal with by the morning.

  Jaylis sighed. Yet another variable to keep up with – this game of playing puppet captain and informant was getting more tedious than he had expected.

  The Captain decided to take to the security vids for his research for now – watching Rafal eat earlier had definitely made him hungry. And, perhaps, he could find something on the vids to include in his next report to the Khedive even if he did not obtain that gods-forsaken treaty by then.

  At least he may have something to convince the Khedive that this rogue Prince needed to be disposed of once and for all.

  Because Jaylis was convinced that Rafal’s actions – to include his apparent softening of the Royal position toward Greens and his growing hostility toward the other Crimson courtiers – were certain to bring about the fall of the Empire.

  And he knew those were just the kind of words that would make Khitam Sadid sit up and take notice of just how effective this appointed Black Guard Captain was at serving his Khedive.

  Knowing Jaylis would no longer follow him after their final encounter in the hallway, Rafal adopted a determined stride toward his Chiyoto’s quarters.

  Oh, he was pretty sure she was going to be unhappy with him – both he and his beast had sensed as much in her words before she departed the dining room. Although he got the distinct impression – because of the moment that Runa made her presence known through Chiyoto’s beautiful eyes – that Runa might even be on his side on this one. He had felt his Chiyoto fall slightly away from him just before that pich, Juristin, had approached the table, but that in and of itself did not explain the hurt and other strong feelings that surrounded her on her return from the bili. No, something had definitely transpired between the time she stepped away and the time she returned …

  Rafal ran a hand over his beard in thought – his Chiyoto had no experience with relationships.

  None.

  She was so very innocent … in more ways than one. In fact, even though her age and her body were quite mature – his beast growled from within with desire and Rafal flexed his hands to bleed off the lust that rose – Rafal doubted if her years of isolation or very limited interaction would help with the hurdles already in front of them …

  It does not matter. She is ours. Go to her.

  Rafal agreed.

  Just the thought of holding her against him again made him hard – and he felt his body’s anticipation build at simply a scent memory of her musky peppermint.

  And his pace quickened.

  Rafal rounded a corner and nearly ran into a couple that had paused for a private moment when his private link from Dalis hummed on his wrist comm.

  A growl that was both him and his beast rolled up from inside at the interruption – the fierce sound completely startling the young couple who had already started to slink away in embarrassment. Rafal stopped in his tracks and answered – his Dalis never bothered him unless it was important.

  “Yes, Dalis.”

  A slight delay which could have been intentional or, more likely, was Dalis trying to remember how to correctly utilize the private comm Rafal had set up solely for Dalis and for Hondo when they were planetside.

  Not even Rafal’s Black Guard – Jaylis included – knew of the comm link.

  “A comm flash from Master Hondo, my Lord,” a slight hesitation in the old steward’s voice, “Yearlan says that it is of the utmost importance, Denka.”

  Rafal stopped in his tracks. Hondo had already set up a meeting upon his return – what in godsfall could be so important that it could not wait until then?

  Our female first. Need to hold her. To taste her.

  Rafal shook his head as he turned his steps back toward his Royal Suite, his intention to play the flash comm from Hondo immediately.

  He needed more than a moment with Chiyoto – he knew that. Their conversation was guaranteed to be an intense one.

  “On my way.”

  His Chiyoto would have to wait a little while longer.

  Rafal’s beast roared and snarled in protest at his decision.

  Well, at least, that part of the Crowned Prince’s life remained the same – he and his beast were completely at odds.

  Again.

  Chapter 15

  She had slept terribly.

  Actually, if truth be known, Chiyoto really had not slept at all. Every time her tired mind had even attempted to doze off, the arguments between her and Runa had begun again.

  Because you insist that Rafal has done us wrong based solely words of a painted jalang-fahise that was high on the Blues!

  Sigh. “Damn it all to godsfall, Runa! How many times do I have to explain it?! He tried to hide us from the other rich Crimsons and even from that pich of a guard captain of his!”

  And how many times do I have to repeat that none of those rich Crimsons were worth associating with – You know I do not particularly like Rafal, per se, but he cares deeply for you, my Treasure.

  Chiyoto slammed her brush down in anger as a wisp of energy escaped through her nostril – the red on her cheeks and of her eyes sang of the conflict that had gone on all night long – and a snarl of fury accompanied the action.

  Runa breathed in Chiyoto’s anger and savored it – Rafal had done this to her.

  And Runa was torn as to whether she was happy about it or n
ot.

  “‘He cares for us, Treasure’,” Chiyoto squished her face ‘up with distaste as she mockingly repeated her altre’s words out loud with childish sarcasm, “‘He ca-a-a-ares for us’” – she snarled and repeated again – “I am so tired of those damn words, Runa!” – another growl – “If he ca-a-a-ared” – that word got a special baring of her teeth and a nasty sound in the back of her throat – “for us then he would have had something to say to that shriveled old ahmak that talked of us as if we were some piece of merchandise!”

  Chiyoto’s lips started to tremble again, and tears welled up in her already cry-swollen eyes.

  “I am so stupid,” The words were whimpered and whispered – the pain that rang in them undeniable, “Some kind of Empress we will make, yes?”

  In all truth, yes, Chiyoto. This I know to be truth.

  Runa tried to purr and soothe her Chiyoto the best she could – the uncivilized altre had not seen her Treasure this upset since their first few weeks alone together over two decades ago.

  And now the ferocious dragoness was defending a Crimson to comfort her! And not just any Crimson, a Sadid!

  Runa sighed – the whole situation was so very surreal.

  You must give him a chance to explain, Chiyoto.

  But Chiyoto had already turned away from the speculum and away from their conversation. She had begun counting her money again – her cool, unemotional and regal demeanor taking over as what Runa knew to be her outward defense mechanism for her hurt.

  And, in this case, for her heart.

  “The subject is closed, my beautiful altre. We will pay Prince Rafal for the meal and be done with it,” her voice monotone – so unlike the youthful and bubbly Chiyoto … and so much like the aged and defeated Junko that Runa wanted to roar – was ready to once again tear into Rafal because … well, just because!

  “None of this matters on our fated path,” continued Chiyoto, “We must send Mamere and Shizu home and return to Haven. That is what matters now,” Runa felt a light go out inside of her Treasure as she looked at herself one last time in the speculum and adjusted that maker-forsaken fastener she had donned this morning upon rising, “It is all that matters.”

  Runa growled at both the conversation and the fastener that made even the altre’s being on the alternate plane of existence feel harnessed.

  Then go to him and yell at him! Call him the ahmak that you think he is!

  The uncivilized Runa knew what the mad Crowned Prince would probably do then, and she welcomed it over this resignation in her sleep-deprived Treasure right now. Runa grinned determinedly as she pushed at the Keeper, but Chiyoto’s will on this matter was steeled even if the Keeper had not been there.

  “Nice try, my beautiful altre,” still so monotone – still so like Mamere – still so damned solemn and resigned all of a sudden.

  “But even you said he was mad,” Chiyoto paused before continuing, “Yes, it is time we moved on.”

  Runa huffed loudly and so that her meaning was felt more than it was heard.

  Whatever you say … Junko.

  Runa felt Chiyoto’s blood pressure and anger sky-rocket at the reference of her acting like her elderly Mamere before Chiyoto was slightly able to rein in her reactions – biting the inside of her mouth really hard in the process.

  Runa chuckled to herself at that reaction.

  Chiyoto only thought it was time to move on – the hunger Runa had glimpsed in Rafal’s eyes last night told her that such action was not even an option. And from their interactions in their first two meetings, Runa knew Rafal would bring out Chiyoto’s true feelings that had nothing to do with moving on – even if the Crowned Prince sustained a burn or two in the process.

  The uncivilized dragoness would consider the latter result a bonus.

  Runa raised her brows as she scraped her talons together to sharpen them – this was going to be interesting.

  Grabbing her tinted glasses and locking the door to their quarters, Chiyoto ignored her meddling altre.

  Completely.

  Rafal emerged from his chambers looking very unrested and, in Mischief’s entertaining assessment, very bed-headed. The Prince’s usually long, smooth locks were a complete mess that he, without much success, attempted to continuously run one hand through to untangle and tame them. His clothes were the same ones he had worn last night except that now they looked adequately “slept in” – the wrinkles a testimony to the little time in bed Rafal had actually spent after replaying the message from Hondo at least five times – or was it more? – to make sure his ears had not deceived them.

  The Prime Magistrate had then spent multiple hurs working through off-grid and encrypted channels to all of his trusted contacts and personnel to put into place that which would be necessary to support the plan he and Hondo had discussed on and off for countless cycles – even since before Hondo had been free from residence at the Royal Palace.

  All of this on top of finding his Chiyoto.

  And the unanswered questions and issues that remained there.

  Rafal blew out another long, taxed and obviously exhausted breath as he raised the painting he carried in his hand and tossed it on the countertop in front of his faithful steward – his bare feet shuffling across the floor to open the cooler.

  “What is it, Dalis?”

  Dalis halted in his food preparations and stared at the painting Rafal had ordered him to take with them from their quarters on the ICT – both he and Mischief wondered if it was a trick question. It was very obvious what it was since the Prince was the one that had ordered him to bring it …

  Dalis took a deep breath and put the knife down, all the while trying to contain Mischief’s chattering about Rafal’s obvious lack of intelligence or even sanity with regards to the matter.

  “It is the painting you requested we bring …” Dalis thought his speech began very calm and even given the ridiculousness of the question.

  “I got that, Dalis,” Rafal interrupted more than a bit irritatedly as he opened the cooler and retrieved the large, meat-laden breakfast pastry Dalis had prepared, “I want to know of what it is a painting.”

  Because Rafal got the distinct feeling his beast knew more than he did in this matter, and that fact alone did not sit well with him.

  The beast was silent.

  “We-e-ell, Magistrate,” Dalis began hesitantly, “It is a young female hand …”

  Rafal growled – not his beast – just him.

  “I got that, too, Dalis,” Rafal interrupted again, quite annoyedly, as he shoved the large pastry into the radiator, “I am referring to the jewelry on that hand as well as to the background on which the hand is placed.”

  It seemed both Mischief and Dalis were without an answer – even Mischief, who had spent hours just staring at the painting because it intrigued him so, simply shrugged, adding only that the background appeared not to be a background at all, but more of a close-up of an object. Now, whether that object was living or inanimate, Mischief had not yet discerned.

  Dalis conveyed Mischief’s deduction to Rafal.

  “But we have no idea of the jewelry, Prime Magistrate.”

  “Hmmmm,” was Rafal’s only response until the radiator finished its cycle.

  Dalis watched the consternation on Rafal’s face – knew that there was something deeply troubling his Prince this morning.

  “But it certainly looks like something we have seen before,” Dalis tried to be upbeat as Rafal retrieved some eating utensils and seated himself at the table, “We would be happy to research it today and see what we can find, my Prince.”

  Rafal grunted his assent and nodded as he shoved another large bite into his mouth, but offered no further information. Dalis swallowed hard – Mischief continuing his tirade about the Prince not being all that sharp this morning.

  And needing to do
something with that nappy-looking hair of his.

  Trying to keep the grin off his face at Mischief’s rantings while at the same time being truly concerned about his Prince, Dalis poured Rafal a large cup of his favorite juice as he spoke.

  “Would the jewelry have anything to do with your dinner meeting or with Master Hondo’s message, my Lord?”

  Rafal froze in the middle of putting another bite into his mouth and let out a long breath – he set the utensil – bite and all – to his plate without even tasting it and looked up at Dalis. Rafal’s voice was very firm but not harsh.

  “Trust no one but Hondo and myself, do you understand me, Dalis?” his gaze hard yet somehow compassionate, “Make sure your animal understands that as well – neither of you should confide in or confer with anyone except your mate and myself. I can not say more than that right now.”

  Dalis’ eyes must have gotten wide as saucers because Rafal got that almost childish glimmer in his eyes at the steward’s reaction to the seriousness of those words.

  Dalis visibly swallowed hard this time as he stepped away from the table after placing Rafal’s drink in front of him.

  “Are we talking long-term here, my Lord, or just until we get home tomorrow?”

  Rafal started to shove another bite into his mouth, pausing only to speak his curt statement, “Until I say differently. Understood?”

  Dalis nodded quietly and had reached to pick up his slicing knife again when movement on the entrance-way security vidscreen caught his eye – there seemed to be a small-statured female – the curves were definitely unmistakable – speaking with …wait, no, … arguing with the guards posted outside the Royal Suite door.

  “Prime Magistra-a-. . .,” Dalis began.

  At almost that same moment, Rafal – dropping his eating utensil this time instead of placing it on the plate – inhaled deeply as he oddly raised his palms and forearms to examine them – as if something invisible were crawling on them or something.

  And a huge grin neither Dalis nor Mischief had seen in some time spread across Rafal’s tired face.