Lord Talius gave a short nod. “Lord Redden Fay. May the wolves protect you and your father.”

  “Thank you,” Lord Fay said, his tone flat. “And the same to you and yours.”

  “Thank you, Lord Fay. Now,” Lord Talius continued. “Why do you feel it necessary to speak for this…,” he looked Kovak up and down, “this troublemaker?” he finally concluded.

  “This man saved my life, Lady Nova’s life, and the life of her brother McKy. I feel that his bravery deserves mercy.”

  Lord Talius grunted. “Mercy, you say?” He speared Kovak with another look. “It appears mercy has not been his friend.”

  The Lord chuckled at his own joke, but Kovak looked less than amused. Nova was glad he didn’t say anything. Instead, the gladiator scanned the audience. She wondered who he was looking for.

  “You know our laws, Lord Redden Fay,” Lord Talius continued. “They are simple and, in their simplicity, leave little room for the mercy you ask.”

  Nova thought quickly through any possibilities to grant Kovak the forgiveness he desperately needed, but she kept running into walls. The Lord’s purple hand slid closer to the gun. Nova wondered if she could tackle the Cray fast enough. Granted, that would also break the rules of the House involving attacking another member while within the royal walls. She would find herself right there with Kovak. The thought that he would at least not have to die alone made her take a step forward.

  “I have a proposal,” the Quarian said.

  The Lord’s eyebrows rose. Nova paused and glanced at Redden.

  He gestured with all four hands. “Our law says that a person without royal blood is unable to set foot within the House, correct?”

  Lord Talius gave a single nod, his expression searching the Quarian’s, “Yes, as we have already stated. Are you simply wasting our time, Lord Fay?”

  Redden shook his head. “What I propose will uphold the law and show the Smiren our gratitude for protecting those the House was built for.”

  The Cray Lord linked his fingers in front of him as he studied Lord Fay. “We are listening.”

  Lord Fay glanced at Kovak, then back to Lord Talius. “I propose that Kovak Sunder is granted Lordship within the Accord Systems.”

  Nova could only stare from one of them to the other. Kovak looked as stunned as anyone. Talking rushed through the Lords and Ladies seated in the rows around them. She had never heard so much commotion in the room. Lord Talius’ eyes were wide and he appeared so caught off-guard by the Quarian’s suggestion that he didn’t bother to silence the chaos.

  “Grant him a Lordship?” the Cray declared. “Are you serious?”

  Lord Fay nodded solemnly. The crowd quieted as he spoke. “The life of a Lord or a Lady is held in the highest esteem of our laws. Are we truly going to put to death someone responsible for saving three such peers and nearly getting himself killed to do so? How would that look to the Accords if we were to take such a sacrifice so lightly?” He linked his hands behind his back. “Why, chaos would erupt! Nobody would respect the titles we need to uphold the laws and protect our systems. Imagine the savagery of the ‘Verse before the Accords were created, and remember the danger that faced our systems during the Centari Wars. Do we truly wish to go through such a violent showing of force again?”

  Lord Fay glanced at Nova. She realized it was her cue to speak.

  “Lord Talius, if I may?” she asked.

  The Cray Lord nodded with a numb expression. “Countess Loreander, may the wolves protect you and yours.”

  “And you as well,” she replied. She turned her gaze to the audience of Lords and Ladies. “Can anyone think of a better choice for Lordship than the man responsible for leading the gladiator army that ended the Centari Wars? The people of the Accord Systems would see his gaining Lordship as the ultimate gratitude for preserving the peace we all hold dear.”

  Murmurs of agreement could be heard from the gathering.

  Lord Talius looked at Kovak. “Yes, but making one of his kind a Lord is highly irregular.”

  “More irregular than killing someone responsible for saving three peers?” McKy asked.

  Though it was his first time speaking, Lord Talius appeared caught off-guard enough not to carry out his usual formalities.

  He looked from the expectant audience to Lord Fay, then McKy, Nova, and finally at Kovak. Even if the gladiator was allowed to speak, Nova wasn’t sure he would know what to say. Lord Fay may have come up with a way to save the Smiren’s life, but he had succeeded in catching everyone entirely by surprise in doing so.

  It was obvious the Cray Lord didn’t like the idea of granting Lordship to Kovak, but he had been backed into a corner by the other royals’ reasoning. Nova could see him trying to figure out a way to kill Kovak and get it over with. Lord Talius’ fingers twitched near the gun as if he was desperate to have the final, deadly word.

  His voice was a tad shaky when he said, “We will turn this topic to the council for debate.”

  Silence filled the room. Lords and Ladies exchanged glances. Small whispered conversations could be heard, but nobody spoke up for a few minutes.

  “A trial,” someone in the audience finally called out.

  Nova spotted Lady Deava a few rows up wearing her usual pale yellow that complimented her white feathers so well. The Gramathian waved a fan in front of her face.

  “Please repeat yourself,” Lord Talius said.

  She rose to her feet and regarded those on the dais with a regal air. Nova had always respected the woman who held both her star system and her person with the same calm control. She lifted her chin and said, “If the Smiren is truly worthy of the title of Lord, he should prove it by doing something that would benefit the Accord Systems.”

  “He has already done more than enough,” Lord Fay protested. “What more could you ask of a man?”

  Lord Talius silenced the Quarian with a look. “We like the suggestion. Thank you, Lady Deava.”

  “Seriously?” McKy said from Nova’s other side. “The Centari Wars and saving lives wasn’t enough?”

  Nova’s heart warmed at her brother’s defense of Kovak. She knew they didn’t exactly get along, but her father had raised them to be fair.

  “Those were his own choice,” Lord Talius said.

  Kovak made a small sound of disagreement. The Cray speared him with a warning look and his hand inched closer to the gun. Kovak raised his cuffed hands and gave a small shrug.

  Lord Talius turned away from him and faced his audience once more. “As Lady Deava has suggested, a trial for the betterment of the Accord Systems and Parliament would show his dedication to our peerage and earn his title,” he said, warming to the idea. “Now to find a worthy task.”

  “Open the Palladium again,” someone had the gall to shout.

  Lord Talius gave Kovak an appraising look. “What do you say, Gladiator? Care to take charge of the Bacarian System? Without the Calladars giving us interesting ways to spend our money, things are going to get a bit dull around here.”

  A chuckle rose from several in the crowd. Nova couldn’t tell what Kovak thought of the suggestion by his expression. He wore his unemotional mask again, his protection from those who viewed him as an object of mere entertainment and sport. She felt sick for him. The idea was appalling considering his past at the Palladium.

  Lord Talius paused as if considering, then shook his head. “No, no, that would be like putting the yaken in charge of the slaughterhouse. Bad idea.”

  Kovak’s eyes narrowed and his mask slipped just enough for her to see the fury behind his blank expression. Nova was afraid that the comment would put him over the top. How on earth he had managed to hold his tongue this long was beyond her. He was no doubt full of snide and snippety remarks just waiting to escape; at least, that was her impression of him when they interacted. He was able to get under her skin in such a way that she argued back with him when she wouldn’t have bothered with anyone else. She couldn’t decide if that was good or bad.

  “He could fight the Hagala System Mob,” Lord Stirmithia said from his tub in the corner. The Lord’s tentacles writhed along the water’s edge. “They’re a nuisance.”

  Several yells of agreement followed.

  “That’s ridiculous,” Nova heard Lord Fay say.

  The Cray glanced at the Quarian before turning back to the Lords and Ladies. “That is a fine thought considering our friend’s skill set, but I’m afraid it is far too big for one man.” He gave a small smile of condescension. “Even if that man is a Smiren gladiator.”

  “I have a thought.”

  Talking stopped when the woman on the top row spoke. Everyone turned to look at the shimmering mass. Nova had never been able to tell if Finthacks had eyes or even where their faces were, yet just looking at the woman sent a shiver down her spine. Where other Finthacks she had met gave off a reassuring, calm energy, Lady Saa’s set her on edge. She had gotten the same impression from many of her peers. She didn’t know if that was a personal thing or from the knowledge that the woman’s profession involved the upper reaches of security and tracking down espionage throughout the ‘Verse.

  “Yes, Lady Saa. We are always grateful for your input on such matters,” Lord Talius said in an ingratiating tone.

  Nova fought the urge to roll her eyes.

  “This man is responsible for taking out the Quartet of Darkness, not to mention some of the most dangerous fighters in the known ‘Verse,” Lady Saa said.

  “That is correct,” Lord Talius confirmed.

  The Finthack’s shimmer grew brighter to the point that Nova could barely look at her. “Well, why don’t we have him focus on our most dangerous adversary,” she said.

  Lord Talius’ eyes widened. “You mean to send him against the Godking?”

  Whispers rushed through the room. Nova exchanged a glance with McKy. There was no way they could go that far. If the Hagala System Mob was off limits, Malivok the Godking should have been even more so.

  “While I wish with all of my shiny heart that we could,” Lady Saa replied, “I’m thinking a bit smaller.”

  “I’m all ears,” the Cray replied.

  Lady Saa paused for dramatic effect before she said, “What I am about to tell you requires absolute secrecy. If anyone in this room breaks my confidence, I will personally track them down and ensure that they never speak to anyone ever again.”

  Lord Talius chuckled, then stopped when no one else joined in. His face paled slightly as though he suddenly realized she was completely serious.

  Lady Saa waited another moment before she said, “We have a spy in the Godking’s court.”

  Nobody spoke. Nova wondered if they held their breaths the way she did. If it was true, perhaps they could figure out what Malivok was really after.

  “The spy has vanished and we fear the worst,” Lady Saa continued. “What I’m proposing is that we send Kovak Sunder to rescue the spy and bring back the information we need regarding the Godking’s plans for the Accord Systems. Such an act would show true loyalty to Parliament and, in my opinion, would earn him Lord status.”

  Silence filled the room for the space of several heartbeats before it was broken by a clap, then another. Soon, every Lord and Lady had joined in the thunderous applause. Nova met Kovak’s gaze only to find that he was already watching her. His eyebrows drew together quizzically. While he couldn’t speak aloud, it was clear what he was asking. Did she think he could accomplish the mission?

  She gave him what she hoped was a confident smile and a nod because in truth, they had no choice. If he didn’t find the spy, a whole new set of bounty hunters would be on his trail.

  “It’s settled then,” Lord Talius concluded. “The plans will be sent to your ship. May the wolves be with you.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  KOVE

  “You push yourself too hard.”

  “Look who’s talking,” Nova said over her shoulder. “Shouldn’t you be taking it easy after healing Redden?”

  I paused at the sound of something in her tone. Was it jealousy or some other emotion I didn’t recognize?

  “I would have healed you if I’d known how,” I said, hurrying to catch up to her. “Also, if I’d had a skull beetle. That would have been helpful.”

  She turned around so fast I caught myself just before running into her.

  “This is some sort of a joke to you, isn’t it? You nearly get yourself killed in the Palladium and violate the rules again in the House, then laugh in the face of death as if can’t touch you!”

  I looked down into her sparking green eyes and shook my head. “Death and I have come to an understanding.”

  “Oh yeah?” she challenged with her hands on her hips. “What understanding is that?”

  I gave a small, humorless smile. “She doesn’t want me in her realm and I have far more destruction and chaos to enact here, which also supports her cause.”

  Nova sighed. “Is everything a joke to you, Kove?”

  I stared down at her, suddenly aware of how close we were standing. “You came to my rescue in the Palladium. That wasn’t a joke.”

  “I told you not to fight. McKy said that’s why you did it.”

  I shook my head. “I told you it was the only way to stop Sigmian from tracking me and from getting you shot up because of me.”

  The memory of her bleeding in my arms surfaced with breathtaking power. I put a hand on the wall next to her head to steady myself.

  “It wasn’t your fault,” she said.

  “It was,” I replied. I closed my eyes and told her the truth. “If anything ever took you from the ‘Verse because of me, I would beg Death to throw me in the darkest reaches where light would never find me again.”

  I heard her breath catch in her throat, but couldn’t make myself open my eyes to look at her for fear of what she would read in my gaze.

  Her voice was a bare whisper when she said, “Why would you want to be away from the light?”

  My throat tightened as I admitted, “Because light without you would be pointless, as would beauty, breath, or the brightest stars. You are all that is wonderful in the ‘Verse, and I almost lost you.”

  I couldn’t get the image of the table covered in her blood out of my mind. She had almost died and it was entirely my fault.

  “I’m here,” she said.

  “I know,” I replied. I hesitated, but the next words escaped without my permission. “It kills me to be so close to you and not touch you.”

  Silence followed my words, then a hand touched my cheek.

  “Kovak, look at me.”

  I couldn’t bring myself to do as she asked. She was unable to fall for a gladiator. She had said so herself. It wasn’t fair of me to put my feelings onto her with that knowledge.

  What are you doing?

  I never meant to be here. What is it about seeing the woman I care about bleeding and dying in my arms that turns me in to a sappy oaf?

  You were always a sappy oaf.

  At least my inner voice was supportive.

  “Kove, will you look at me?”

  I let out a small breath and opened my eyes. Nova’s green gaze met mine with an intensity that sent heat through my body.

  “Nova, you can’t love a gladiator.”

  Defiance sparked in her gaze when she replied, “Kove, I can love whoever I want.”

  I started to speak, but before I could say anything, she covered my mouth with her own. Her hand settled in my hair as she kissed me with lips so soft they took my breath away. Her thumb brushed against the back of my ear in a way that drove me crazy. I put a hand to her waist and felt her wince. The realization that she should have been resting filled me with guilt.

  I pulled back even though it was the last thing I wanted to do.

  “Kove, if you don’t want this,” she began as a hint of red colored her cheeks.

  I shook my head. “I absolutely want it, but you were shot and I’m sure watching a fight in the Palladium followed by accosting a rescued Smiren in the hallway of your ship aren’t exactly within the Pathians’ orders for your recovery.”

  Her eyes widened. “Accosting?”

  I chuckled. “Trust me. He’s not complaining.” Her answering smile made me nearly start kissing her again. It took every ounce of control I had to take a step back. “Come on, Captain. Let’s get you to the bridge so we can rescue some spy and have me declared a lord.”

  Her hand slipped into mine as we walked up the familiar hallway.

  “I can’t imagine you as a lord,” she said.

  I shook my head. “Me, neither. I think my heart stopped entirely when Redden suggested it. How the Quarian didn’t collapse laughing is beyond me.”

  I caught Nova looked at me.

  “What?” I asked self-consciously.

  She smiled. “I think a Lordship would suit you.”

  I laughed at that. “Don’t fool yourself. I’ll be downright incorrigible.” I waved a hand imitating one of Redden’s flourishing gestures. “Madam, bring me more brinn and some Kandian wine. I would like to get fat and lazy.”

  Nova laughed so hard she snorted as she held her side. “The image of you lazing away the rest of your days.” She gasped and shook her head. “I can’t take it!”

  “Breathe,” I told her, concerned by her pale face. “Come sit down.”

  I put a hand to the panel by the door and it slid aside to show the bridge.

  “Welcome, Captain,” Junquit said. “I was just about to pull up the files the House sent over.”

  “Very good,” Nova replied.

  I helped her into the Captain’s chair.

  Junquit’s eyebrows pulled together. “Are you alright?”

  “Fine,” Nova replied with a dismissive wave of her hand. “I just can’t laugh for a few days, that’s all.”

  Junquit speared me with a look. “Were you making her laugh? You know I could have Guinea bring you another of her concoctions.”

  I raised both of my hands. “I didn’t do anything, I swear. Have mercy!”

  Jashu Blu entered the bridge with Kaj close behind. “Did I hear something about Guinea’s concoctions? I would love a refreshing tea,” the young Quarian said.

 

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