Consorts of the red king, p.32
Consorts of the Red King, page 32
Must not be easy to face men you tried to kill.
“Sit.” Jorvik’s command cracked with the sharpness of a plasma cannon.
Van whipped his head in Jorvik’s direction. Who spoke, Jorvik or Tayn? How much of Jorvik’s mind returned to him? How much would return? This wasn’t Van’s arena. He’d come forward if Jorvik lapsed into murderous rage. Maybe Van and Tayn’s presence helped rein in the violent tendencies.
Tayn was still in there, right?
Because if not, Jorvik would likely go red king all over Commander. He flinched and growled low in his throat but didn’t attack.
Yet.
The commander recovered from his moment of uncertainty and arranged himself far more artfully than Van would’ve imagined, given his bulk and extra limbs.
“Are you here in an official capacity for the Coalition?” Tayn/Jorvik asked, fist tightly clenched by his side.
Again Commander looked to Van and back. “No. I represent my own interests, and the interests of your… um… consort.”
What an odd experience, sitting across from the commander.
And not killing his sorry ass.
Anyone else might see Jorvik’s slow, deliberate speech as an intimidation factor and not the strangely altered man searching for words and carefully weighing each syllable. “I do not know how things occur on your world. On Akiak, my consort is second only to me in authority. You do not speak for his interests.”
“But what of his partner, Tayn? He’s not your consort.”
Van barely restrained himself from knocking the smugness off his former boss’s face. Still, he’d voiced a question Van himself wanted to ask.
“He, too, is mine, under my protection, sharing my authority.” Like a game of Terran cards, Jorvik met commander’s smugness and raised some attitude.
Van’s mouth popped open. He forced it to close. But yes, there were three in this relationship. Jorvik offered the best protection he could, acknowledging their bond publicly. Any attempts on Van and Tayn now would be an assault on the royal family.
A royal family protected by Akiak’s new military.
“You cannot have two consorts. Unheard of.” Ah, the sweet sound of control spinning out of Commander’s clutches.
Jorvik pulled himself up straighter, shoulders ridged and claws out. “You tried to kill them. Kill us all. You’ve made yourself my enemy. My enemy is the enemy of all Akiak.”
A collective gasp went up from those close enough to the dais to hear. As one, the former Federation soldiers turned, training their weapons on Commander.
If Van kept whipping his head toward Jorvik he’d have a neck injury to add to his list of hurts.
Commander smoothed his expression into neutral. How could he ignore the very real danger of his multiple asses getting blasted back to his home world? “No king in your history has chosen an off-worlder as consort, let alone two.”
Oh, Commander needed to watch himself. Although Jorvik seemed in control, anger simmered beneath the surface. “No other red king has survived battle with his mind intact.”
“I’m in awe of how quickly you retook your home world. Even the Federation’s sizable military forces turned against them on your behalf.” The bastard still wouldn’t admit to being behind assassination attempts.
Van held his breath, willing Jorvik not to give away too much.
“Yes,” the king supplied.
“You asked if I spoke for the Coalition. Do you wish a treaty?” Leave it to Commander to make the offer after all he’d done. Destroy a planet and there’d be nothing left but insects and Commander.
“I wish to be left alone.” A touch of growl returned to Jorvik’s tones.
“Those crystals in your caves could guarantee your standing in the—”
Jorvik slammed his hand down on the floor. The polished rock cracked. Daaaayum! “My people are not for sale.”
His people? Van gripped Jorvik’s hand. They’d discuss sentient crystals later.
“You’ll need protection to keep the Federation and fortune seekers at bay.” There was the schemer Van was coming to hate. Ah, good old Commander, wheeling and dealing. He wasn’t used to not getting his way.
Bargaining for the Coalition? When he’d showed his hand as a Federation puppet?
“How much more protection do we need?” Jorvik struggled, searching for words, perhaps, given his shaky state of mind. “My admiral assures me we have ample ships to protect our interests.”
Admiral? Had Tayn chosen the wrong words?
“What ships?” The shock on Commander’s face was worth more than a million red crystals, even though he’d stolen the words from Van’s mouth.
“The ones currently in orbit.”
“In orbit? The Federation ships?”
“They are now Akiak’s.” A slow smile spread across Jorvik’s face, made even more sinister by his terror-inducing fangs. “One hundred fifty-six sentient ships of varying makes and models, with total crews of 15,000. Plus, ground troops of roughly 20,000. The best the Federation has to offer, I’m told.” He waved a hand to indicate the suited soldiers gathered around them. As one, the soldiers saluted Jorvik. “They stand with Akiak.”
Well played, Red King. Well played.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Planet Akiak
How had Van never noticed his boss’s posturing and over-inflated ego? And damn, did the man ever love the sound of his own voice.
“Unacceptable,” Commander spat. “You need protection, from the Federation or the Coalition. I could arrange either.” For a bag of crystals, most likely.
He must fully believe they needed him, to so blatantly ignore the weapons trained on him, and the hardened gazes of Jorvik’s people.
Then, Van spotted beads of sweat trickling down Commander’s face. He sweated? Van never knew.
Jorvik inclined his head, speaking loudly enough for those closest to hear. “His terror is a sweet scent in my nose.”
Commander fidgeted, noticed Van’s gaze on him, and stilled. Never show weakness, he’d always said.
A serving girl approached bearing a loaded tray. She stopped a respectable distance away. Yeah, Van could use a drink right now. Jorvik gave him authority, right?
Van nodded and the woman stepped forward, crouching to serve them from their positions on the floor cushions. He eyed his cup warily and took a sip. Not alcohol, damn the luck, but not bad either.
Please let Jorvik not tell Commander they, through Stone—presumably “The Admiral” now—won the air battle by planning a sentient ship revolt. No need to mention the sentient ships at all. No one made Van privy to the little detail earlier of Jorvik claiming those vessels for his own, but he wouldn’t let his surprise show.
The moment he got Jorvik alone, however…
“Ships such as those are a big responsibility and require upkeep, fuel.” What kind of deal was the commander trying to cut now?
Jorvik narrowed his eyes and glared. “We have fuel.”
Commander winced. Did he still carry the red crystal in his pocket? The one he said would keep Van and Tayn out of ports for months.
“It’s not merely a matter of fuel. You’ll need repair crews. Pilots.”
“My consorts are pilots. I will bow to their wisdom in obtaining people we can trust. They visit ports on a regular basis. I’m sure they can find some suitable maintenance workers.” Jorvik never blinked, his withering glare boring through Commander.
Damn, how much control did Tayn have to get out the string of coherent words?
Commander opened his mouth to protest. Jorvik cut him off with, “Until we can train our own.”
“We”, not “I”. Every syllable screamed authority. Even the commander took on a polite demeanor. How much of the dialog came from Tayn, and how much from Jorvik?
Van dared not hope for a full return of the man he’d known. Instead, he’d learn the man before him now, the hybrid of humanoid and local lifeforms. Used to the boss’s strong-arm tactics, he longed to enter the discussion.
No, he’d been named consort, not king. Second in authority only to Jorvik, but second, nonetheless.
The commander balled all hands into fists. “You can’t stand against the Federation and the Coalition.”
With words undoubtedly picked by Tayn, the Red King of Akiak stated, “Watch me.” Also, something likely supplied by Tayn, or the result of all those holovids Jorvik watched, he fixed Commander with a hard glare. “My uncle committed treason, selling his planet out to the Federation. Now you offer to become a traitor to whichever side I do not pick.
“On Akiak, the sentence for treason is death.”
Van placed a hand on Jorvik’s arm. Jorvik didn’t shrug off the contact but, with Tayn helping him think clearly, he was in no mood to let slights pass.
Jorvik stood, gesturing to four of his new guards. “I do not know your name, nor do I care to, but you tried to kill me and my consorts, you have just admitted before witnesses you’d turn your back on your precious Coalition if I but asked for a Federation deal.”
Commander glanced right and left. He focused four disdainful eyes at Jorvik. “I’m acting as emissary. You can do nothing to me. Diplomatic immunity, remember?”
Jorvik pulled himself up to his full height. “On the contrary. Akiak recognizes no one’s authority but our own. You’ll find no immunity here.”
“What? What does he mean?” Commander whipped his attention toward Van, who shrugged.
How dare this disgusting being look at Jorvik’s mate. Jorvik pulled his lips back from a mouthful of fangs and sharp teeth. Oh, how he’d lived for this moment. Blood sang in his veins, adrenaline thrumming.
“Run.” To his new troops, Jorvik ordered, “Stand down. He’s mine.”
The commander wasn’t good prey. Even with five legs, he couldn’t outrun Jorvik on two.
Jorvik toyed with his nemesis, scenting the air. Ah, the heady aroma of an enemy’s fear. Commander stared at Jorvik with four wide eyes, then turned and scrambled across the room. He paused long enough to shove a table into Jorvik’s way. Jorvik leapt, easily clearing the hurdle.
The commander darted right and left, never realizing how effectively he’d been herded.
Jorvik? Jorvik! Stop!
A mate appealed to Jorvik, but he would not stop. Not until he bathed in the blood of his enemy. Up the stairs they ran, the helmeted guards keeping pace.
Straight into the king’s chamber, and into the closet. Jorvik approached slowly, giving his prey time to find the hidden door.
If he knew about the escape route in the king’s rooms, then he must have spies in the palace—to be dealt with later.
Commander’s triumphant smile proved short-lived as he dashed headlong into unknown territory. His shoes tapped against the stone steps, and the crystals didn’t respond to his touch, leaving him in darkness.
Jorvik no longer needed to touch the crystals to ensure their help. They lit the area immediately around him, leading him down to the deepest reaches of the caverns.
The man who dared try to kill Jorvik’s mates huffed and puffed, his horrendous breathing unmistakable and traceable in the passageways.
Jorvik didn’t even exert himself. He’d plenty of time. No matter where the man went, he’d never escape his fate.
The heavy breath turned to screams.
Time to end this game.
Jorvik set foot into the dead-end cave where Commander hunkered against the wall. He’d not even provided an admirable chase. What a disappointment.
Jorvik! Don’t do this! Tayn screamed within the confines of his mind.
Jorvik wrapped his hand around his enemy’s neck and squeezed. A line of guards ran up to stand on each side, their heartbeats hammering in his ears. They were afraid.
Of him.
Jorvik, please. Don’t kill him. Not now.
For one long moment Jorvik pressed his claws into the commander’s neck, breathing in fear, despair. Killing him would be so sweet.
But his consort bid him not to.
Slowly, slowly, Jorvik released his hold. His prey collapsed, snatched up a moment later by two guards.
I want to kill him. Commander was an enemy. Why wouldn’t they let him kill the traitor?
You can’t, Tayn said. We still need him.
Tayn should leave Jorvik’s head. His claws ached to sink into the man who’d tried to kill his mates. Back and forth he paced, back and forth through the cavern. He threw back his head and roared his rage.
Even the soldiers in their strange suits flinched. Good. Now if only one would run…
Calm the fuck down!
No!
Tayn pulled up a memory of Jorvik, Tayn, and Van in cyberspace, wrapped up together, sated after sex. Would you like to go see Van?
“Van?” Yes, he needed to see his mate.
Jorvik could always kill the commander later.
Until then, he could at least make his unwanted guest’s stay as unpleasant as possible.
“What are we going to do with 20,000 former soldiers?” Van settled himself on cushions a lot like the ones found in the great hall of Akiak. Funny how he’d gotten used to the concept of reclining for conversations rather than sitting in chairs.
Jorvik felt most comfortable on the floor. Van felt most comfortable leaning against Tayn with Jorvik’s head in his lap.
Stone regarded him a long moment, seated on a couch of Tayn’s devising with Connell. “Most are dependent on their suits and always will be. With a few modifications to the life support units, the crystals can power the suits, and in turn, gain strength from the impurities removed from their hosts’ systems by the suits’ filtering and reclamation components.” As he spoke, he conjured images around them, showing visuals to better explain. “The soldiers will be free to move about as they please but will need a few hours a day in their suits. Some haven’t been soldiers long enough to become dependent. The older ones will also have to adjust to doing their own thinking.”
Van relaxed more fully into Tayn’s embrace and worked his fingers through the fine white silk of Jorvik’s hair while they met within the Cormorant. “Do they want to go back to their home worlds?”
Stone shook his head. “Most have no home world left, or safe enough to escape recapture by the Federation. A few have expressed interest in taking to the stars as mercenaries. Those with no place to go have asked to stay here.”
Van winced and cast a glance at Jorvik. So far Van hadn’t gotten anywhere with his discreet questioning of the soldiers to find where a now ten-year-old recruit might be held. How would he even know Tayn’s brother if they found him?
While in the ship’s computer system, Jorvik appeared more like his old self. Inside, though, he’d become a true leader of his people, prone to weigh his words before speaking, even if doing so required every ounce of Tayn’s concentration. On his own, Jorvik would have ripped Commander’s head off—literally. “I do not like off-worlders on Akiak. Most of my people have been harmed by off-worlders, having loved ones put to death by my uncle when they refused to give their loyalty.
“However, my uncle has laid waste to entire villages, and the off-worlders in question helped to win back Akiak’s freedom. Though there will be some dissenters among the people, the soldiers who agree to abide by Akiak laws will be welcomed.”
“What about inter-marriage?” Connell asked.
Stone answered him. “Many soldiers prefer their own gender, and already have bonds with one or more of their company. Those who seek out native Akiakians must learn protocol.”
Jorvik nodded. “Some pair-bonds, or more-bonds, have inquired about the numerous orphans left behind by my uncle’s misdeeds. The young need parents, and the off-worlders can bring knowledge and skills we lack. Though I do not intend to welcome all who desire to come here, we’ll review those wishing to remain on a case by case basis.” He looked to Stone. “You know these men and women, or those like them. Can I count on you to act as liaison, through myself or any compatible who wish to offer their services?”
“Not necessary.” Stone smiled. “I can communicate with them through their suits, as long as I’m connected with the Cormorant.”
For the first time since he’d become king, Jorvik fidgeted, squirming on the cushions and not meeting Van’s eyes.
“What is it?”
Jorvik let out a breath of air he didn’t need in this form. Old habits died hard. “Though I had political reasons at the time, I named you and Tayn consorts. I wish to retain you both in the position.”
“Since the battle is over”—mere hours after it began— “and you weren’t sent into exile, won’t you be expected to mate and produce the next ruler?” Twisting started in Van’s insides at the thought of another giving Jorvik something Van and Tayn could not.
“In times of war, it’s not uncommon for leaders to forego procreation in favor of a child in need of parents. The last red king, for whom I’m named, lost his parents during a war.” Jorvik stared up into Van’s face. “I knew someone, Sika, one of the first casualties of my uncle’s treachery. He served tables in the great hall.
“He saved my life. I borrowed from his history when I first met you. His family was loyal to my father.” He shook his head. “They were put to death.”
Sika, one of the two young men Jorvik mourned so deeply. “I am sorry you lost your friend.”
Jorvik nodded and clutched Tayn’s hand. “I couldn’t save him, though I did avenge his death. However, there is something else I can do for him, with your agreement.”
Van spoke for himself and Tayn. “Why do you need our agreement to do anything? You’re the king. Your word is law.”
“As is yours, my consort.” He brought Van’s hand to his mouth and kissed the knuckles, repeating the process with Tayn. “As is yours. Sika’s sister and her mate were killed, leaving behind three small children. In honor of him, his family, and their sacrifice, I wish to take them as my own, as our own.”
