Tarthian Empire space, Tarth orbit
Le Persequor - lurk mode (invisible)
Jawk sat in a small room at a table opposite Som while awaiting Pietas's decision. Though neither spoke, Som's ability to extend his own emotions to Jawk let him feel the confidence he possessed. But the young Kin could not help asking for clarification once more.
"You're certain they won't decide to kill me? They almost killed Wulf."
"Wulf was working with another Chosen. You have worked for me. You did nothing wrong. If anyone will be punished, it's me." He laid a hand over Jawk's. "Although Pietas will try to scare you."
"He's already done that. How did Mynkoh Ceeow know to come and get me?"
"She's a rebel. Always has been. Although she knows nothing about the Chosen, she does know Luc is a closet rebel supporter. I knew I could depend on her to bring you to me."
Jawk stroked his fingers across Som's hand. "You told me Luc would be good in bed. You didn't tell me he'd be phenomenal."
Som grinned. "Better than me?"
With a snort, Jawk extended claws, deferring to answer. "I enjoyed pitting my strength against him."
"So do I." He drew a deep breath. "Whatever happens, thank you for what you did. You tested the material. It passed every test Luc put to it, and he's far more thorough than anyone else would be."
The door opened, and Uurah motioned them both to follow. Together, they followed the android into a private chamber where Pietas, Luc, and the empress waited. The black panther sat beside Pietas's chair, his head on the Sempervian's lap.
"Sit down." Pietas indicated a set of chairs.
Jawk sat with hands in his lap, trying not to fidget.
"I'll get straight to the point." Pietas leaned back, stroked the black panther. "My sister accused each of you of conspiring, but since in your own way, each of you had permission to do what you were doing, I will not require Penance. You, Chosen--" He pointed at Jawk. "--were a pawn in all this. However, you deceived a Sempervian. That can't go unpunished."
"Yes, sir." He dug his claws into his own hands to keep his hands from shaking. He could feel Luc's black-eyed stare. How bad does he hate me?
The empress smirked, dragging her leering gaze up his length.
Pietas rubbed the cat between its eyes. "I've considered the situation. My sister is willing to forgive you, on one condition. Since your father was a Praetorian, and you have such a distaste for the Armada, she believes you should have to serve her by becoming a Praetorian yourself."
"A Praetorian? Me?"
"Yes, you." Pietas did not give off much of the candyish scent of amusement, but it was there, faint as smoke on a high wind. "After one year as a Praetorian, you will become one of her Jades and serve as her Chosen. Or, you can serve me, personally. I've never had a Kin sex-slave. You might prove interesting for a few days."
"I--will serve Her Majesty to the best of my ability, my lord." He dared to meet her gaze and found her licking her lips.
"Very well. Cyken, your punishment is rather simple. You've lost your Chosen, and you had nothing to do with the plot by Som, so there is nothing more I care to do to you. However, I do require you to spend tonight with me. I've missed you."
"Yes, my lord." The scent of fear emanating from Luc stung Jawk's nose, but he refused to give it away. He owed the man that much.
"And you, Som. Your punishment is also tempered by the fact that you had permission to develop and test the technology. What you didn't have was permission to involve a Chosen. Giving up Jawk is the first part of your punishment. You must also surrender the next six battles to Rheyn. Plan them in such a way that you lose, despite the fact that you could win. Is that clear?"
"That could cost hundreds of my followers their lives, my lord!"
"Yes, it could." He continued to stroke the cat. "That's the nature of being a Sempervian. We see the big picture. History is a playground for us, but it's life for those we lead and manipulate. Remember that when you plot against one another. Peril is our game. But it's real life to people like Jawk."
Som bowed his head. "Yes, my lord."
"And you, sister." Pietas held out his hand.
She placed her fingertips against his palm. "Yes, Pietas?"
He curled his hand around hers and drew her up, close to him. "Think long and hard before you bring me an accusation again. I will not be so lenient on any of you next time." He let go of her. "And think twice about taking any vengeance against Wulf Gabriel for taking Alitus away from you. He stood between me and Alitus, when he saw no reason to think I would let him live. I admire that. I do not want him hurt. Clear?"
"Clear." She glanced from Jawk to Luc. "And Alitus? What will you do with him?"
"He'll spend the rest of his lifetime serving you as your ally. When he dies, we'll enroll him in a Peril of his own." He stroked the cat's ears. "Now, all of you, get out. I want Cyken to myself."
Jawk stood, and followed Som toward the door. As he passed Luc, the Sempervian brushed the back of his hand with his own. The man looked up, his expression unreadable, but then he lowered his lashes and moved to kneel before Pietas.
Jawk hurried from the room, unable to bear seeing him abase himself.
In the hallway, Her Majesty gripped his arm. "You're mine, now, Mr. Brighton." Setting the tip of a finger beneath his chin, she smiled at him with lust-filled eyes. "Can't wait to train you how to serve your empress."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"Ah, yes, that's the proper response, no matter what I ask you. Is that clear, Mr. Brighton?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. As one of your loyal Praetorian, may I request that my father is cared for? He--"
"I know all about your father, Mr. Brighton." She slid both hands across his chest. "How loyal do you intend to be?" Her lust scented the air.
Jawk smiled into her eyes. "Every bit as loyal as it takes."
"Good, then I suppose we can accommodate a royal pardon for your father and reinstate his benefits. I think I'm going to like having you serve me, Jawk. I like the way you think." She gave Som a peck on the cheek. "No hard feelings, love?"
He folded his arms. "Those six battles will soon be over, Rheyn, and when they are, watch your back."
* * * *
Tarthian Empire space, Tarth orbit
Le Persequor - lurk mode (invisible)
Quarters of Pietas ap Lorectic
Once Pietas finished with him, Luc rolled over and hugged the edge of the bed. "Come back, Cyken. Show me your real eyes. I haven't seen them for a long time."
"Yes, my lord." He sat up and rubbed a fingertip across his eyes, removing the lenses. Without them, the room plunged into darkness.
"You're so beautiful, Cyken. I wish I could remember how I made your eyes. I'd love to have a world full of people like you."
"A world of the blind, my lord?"
""What I want is a world of dominant, aggressive lovers like you. Come here. Lie next to me. Let me hold you." He curled a finger around a strand of Luc's hair. "Besides, you're only blind when you don't wear lenses. And you can see so much more than we can."
"I've always been able to tell who's a Sempervian, even in disguise, but I couldn't tell Alitus was. Why is that?"
"Perhaps because he wasn't a true Sempervian until he'd died." Pietas stroked Luc's skin, smoothing a hand across his face. "A few more hours with me, and I'll let you go. I know you don't want me, but I miss you. Indulge me, Cyken, won't you?"
"Of course, my lord. I serve you, always."
"So you say." Pietas turned on his stomach. "Rub my back."
He kneaded and stroked Pietas's skin, using some of the oil near the bed. "Enjoying this?"
"Mmm." He pulled a pillow beneath him. "I'm not all bad, you know. I kept you with me to provide a warning."
"Warning?"
"Just as there was a Chosen you didn't know about in your life for one week, there's another you don't know about as well."
"Whose is this one?"
"I won't tell you, nor reveal anything else. Except that this one is dedicated to your downfall. Not using you to conduct a test. This one is convinced you are to be hunted down and destroyed."
Luc sighed with all the frustration he felt. "How close to me?"
Pietas turned over, set his fingertips against Luc's mouth. "Close enough for you to kiss. Close enough for you to love. Guard your heart, Cyken. This one means you great harm." He slid his hand down Luc's chest, across his belly and down. "For now, let's talk about whatever else 'comes up,' shall we?" And with a laugh, he set about stroking him once again.
* * * *
Tarth City, Palace District
Imperial Palace, Quarters of Alitus Vivaldi
Sofftem 3
While Alitus's staff greeted his return, Wulf waited for him in the library. The room, barren of rugs, drapes, and upholstered furniture, smelled antiseptic. All the books had been cleaned, stacked one on top of the other, the shelves naked.
Wulf picked up a volume lying on a wooden table and opened it. The Fists, the Killers, and Ruckball; the True Story of Two Teams and One Sport that Changed the Empire. The author, Erryq d'Shoreyh, was the Sempervian who'd been responsible for bringing him and Alitus together. As he set it down, a flatpic fell out, and he bent to retrieve it.
Dressed in sports clothes, his hair mussed and face dirty, Alitus sat in a field next to a young Tyran holding a ruckball. "Oh, this must be Grib!" He walked closer to a window and held it up to the light. The Tyran's horns swirled down and into a circle, unlike most Tyrans' whose horns tilted up and out. Alitus often spoke of how adamant his young servant was about him eating and getting enough rest. Wulf sighed. I suppose we'll have to work together, won't we? With a grin, he laid the picture of the two of them on the table next to the book.
When the door opened, he turned to greet his lover, and came face-to-face with the empress.
His first reaction was to step back, but he forced himself to stand his ground. If he was to live in the palace with Alitus, there would have to be some new boundaries.
"Your Majesty, I beg your pardon." He bowed. "I didn't hear you knock."
She set her mouth in a hard line that held no hint of humor. "Let's come to an understanding, Mr. Gabriel. First, you are the Chosen of Alitus. I respect the position, even if I detest you."
"I'm sorry if I hurt you, Your Majesty."
"Did you say, 'if,' Mr. Gabriel?" The empress advanced toward him, and Wulf took a step back, bumping into a table. "You came between Alitus and me, and you were faithless to Cyken. You were asked to assist us, not destroy what we had. I will never forgi--"
"We didn't mean to fall in love, Your Majesty. We..."
"Mr. Gabriel!" The menace in her tone silenced him. "When I am speaking, you do not interrupt. I am your empress as well as a Sempervian. Are we clear on that?"
He chewed the inside of his lip. "Your pardon, Your Majesty. It won't happen again."
"It had better not." She paced away, turned to look back at him, arms folded. "You have the right, as a Chosen as well as Alitus's lover, to be present in the palace at all times. I have instructed the palace Praetorian to permit you access anywhere except to my personal quarters. Third, you were given a Jade's ring."
"Here." He pulled it from a pocket. "Happy to return it, Your Majesty."
She stared at him as if he'd offered her a snake. "You interrupted me again, Mr. Gabriel. Do it once more, and I will call a Praetorian and have you punished."
So, it's going to be like that? Wulf wrapped his fist around the ring and bowed. "I won't forget again, Your Majesty."
"See to it you do not. And do not ever insult me again by attempting to return a gift. You and I know we will never be more than surfacely-cordial enemies, but to the empire, you are a Jade. If that advantage helps you serve Alitus, so be it. Put on the damned ring. Now."
Wulf felt a tinge of frost in the air. Alitus had told him about her ability to call up cold from the ground, and he could feel it. He put on the ring.
"I will need a moment alone with Alitus when he returns."
"That won't be necessary." Alitus shut the door. "Anything you have to say to me you can say in front of Wulf." Tears were rolling down his face.
Everything in Wulf wanted to drag him close and kiss away his pain, but he would not make the mistakes Luc had with him. Alitus was a man, with a man's pride. It tore out Wulf's heart to see him suffer, but this was between Alitus and the empress.
Alitus brushed at his eyes. "Why, Rheyn? Tell me why."
What the hell is this about? Wulf took a step back.
The empress looked everywhere but at Alitus.
"Why, damn it!"
Her Majesty faltered, her chin quivered. "They'd just told me you died." She sucked in a sobbing breath. "And then I came back here and found out Grib was responsible for accepting the poisoned linens and veils."
"So you killed him for it!"
Grib is dead? Wulf touched the flatpic lying near his hand.
"I executed him." The empress faced Alitus, her chin up. "How can you hate me for this?" She wrung her hands. "First I found out you were in love with someone else, and then you died. Grib looked responsible for your death."
"But he wasn't!" Alitus threw out his arms in an impassioned gesture. "The very man I picked to replace me as your assistant was out to kill me. He was the one who poisoned Betters."
"Oh, God." Wulf covered his mouth. Both Alitus and Her Majesty turned to him as if surprised he was still in the room. "Jarod? Why would he do that?"
Alitus turned his head, disgust marring his features.
Her Majesty answered. "His parents had applied to make a Better, but they were turned down. Jarod and his twin brother were born with defective hearts. His parents chose to harvest his weaker twin's heart for him. They never let him forget he and his twin could have been Betters if it wasn't for me."
"You? I'm sorry. I shouldn't ask."
Alitus brushed at his tears. "Her Majesty gave the final approval on all Betters. It was supposed to be a way for Lord Pietas to track who we were, and which of us might be new Sempervians he'd created, like me. But everything was destroyed."
Wulf wet his lips. "You knew about that?"
"He told me before we left Le Persequor." Alitus glanced at him, frowning. "He told you, too?"
He nodded, admitting nothing further.
When he realized Her Majesty eyed him closely, Wulf turned his head. "I'm sorry to hear about Grib. I was looking forward to meeting him." He held out the flatpic to Alitus.
"Ohh..." Fresh tears spilled down his cheeks as he beheld the picture.
"Alitus. Love." Her Majesty reached up and wiped away his tears. "I'm sorry. I was so hurt. So broken. Forgive me."
He turned his back, a hand over his mouth.
Wulf bit the inside of his cheek. One did not turn one's back on the empress. Ever.
She clutched his arm. "What can I do? I can't bring him back. If I could, I--"
Alitus spun toward her, his face firm with resolve. "Release the governors. The ones you imprisoned in Hell Tower for raping Khyff Antonello."
She shook her head. "No. Ask anything else."
"Release and pardon them. It won't bring Grib back, but at least I'll believe you're sorry for what you did."
The empress clasped her hands together, edged closer to him. "Alitus. Please."
Wulf wished fervently to be anywhere else. She would not soon forget he saw her beg.
Alitus lifted his head and withdrew from her.
Her capitulation was as absolute as it was sudden. "I'll sign the release today. They're Sempervians, did you know that?"
He gazed down at her, reached down and tucked an errant curl behind her ear. "You told me once if they had done to me what they did to him you'd have made them suffer for centuries. I had an inkling then of how much anger you harbored toward them. Rheyn, I don't know what they did. I know it's far beyond what they did to Khyff, but I hate Hell Tower and all it stands for. I wish you'd destroy it and free everyone inside."
Wulf swallowed tightly. Prisoners didn't leave Hell Tower alive; they were buried in unmarked graves on a moonless night with no one to say good-bye but faceless droids. That Alitus knew what else went on inside the prison, he could tell from the horror in his eyes.
"Alitus." Her Majesty trembled. She took his hand and pressed it against her cheek, rested her face against his hand. "If it were in my power, I'd grant every wish you had. But releasing everyone is a wish I can't fulfill."
The two stared at one another for so long, Wulf started to think they'd forgotten him again. He coughed.
The empress blinked away tears and smiled up at Alitus. "The only way I can bear losing you is knowing you'll live as long as I do. And in another life..." With great dignity, she released him and turned to go. "Mr. Gabriel?" She did not face him.
"Yes, Your Majesty?"
"I hold you to your Chosen vows of silence regarding Sempervians."
"Wulf answers to me alone, Rheyn." Alitus folded his arms. "As does every member of my staff. Threaten any of them, punish any of them, and you will answer to me."
Wulf held his breath. He could not see the empress's face, but the slow change of her posture from erect to submissive told him she had acquiesced.
"Good night, gentlemen."
After the door closed Wulf drew another breath.
* * * *
Hours later, in their bedroom, while they were changing for dinner, Wulf paused, a shoe in his hand. "Alitus?"
"Hmm?" He was shrugging into a jacket.
Wulf slipped on the shoe, crossed to Alitus and yanked him into his arms for a deep kiss. He swept his tongue into his lover's mouth, tasting and savoring him.
When the kiss ended, Alitus sighed. "Mmm. What brought that on? And can I have more of it?"
"You don't have pheromones."
"You noticed." He wrapped his arms around Wulf and tilted his head, and kissed him back.
Wulf rocked him in his arms, playing his tongue across his lover's. "Mmm." He pulled back. "No apricot taste. No peaches. I kind of miss that."
"I don't. For the first time in my life, I don't have to worry about overpowering someone. Pietas doesn't know if they're gone because I've been reborn or because my body is readjusting. There's never been a Sempervian Better, so he's not sure. He thinks they'll come back."
"So ... no veil?"
"No veil for anyone until safe ones can be manufactured. Half the Betters in the empire are dead because of the poison." He kissed Wulf's knuckles, and traced the white streak in his hair. "You never told me what caused your hair to go white like that."
Wulf laid his cheek against Alitus's hands. "I was terrified of losing you, love. Simple as that."
"Pietas didn't hurt you? Touch you?"
He met Alitus's gaze without hesitation. "I am Chosen."
Alitus narrowed his eyes. "Are you sure you'll be happy living in the palace?" He jerked his head toward the door. "So close to the ex?"
Wulf scratched one ear. "Since you put it that way, are you going to be happy if I continue to work for mine?"
"Do we have a choice?"
He smoothed his fingers across Alitus's skin. "Will you be happy living here?"
Alitus flashed him a sexy grin. "If you're here, I will."
"The only way this could be more awkward is if your ex invited my ex to move in, and we were all one big happy family."
Alitus pressed a hand over Wulf's mouth, grinning. "Don't even think it!"
Wulf laughed. "There's one rule I think I will have to insist on."
"Rule, huh?" He started unbuttoning Wulf's shirt. "And what is that?"
"That when we are together, there are no clocks."
"Agreed." Alitus's bright blue eyes filled with smiles. "No clocks. Not for us, Chosen."
"I'm glad you agree, Sempervian." Wulf cupped his hands around Alitus's face and drew him close. "Now shut up and kiss me forever."
---
The End -- or is it?
The Tales of the Chosen characters appear in other stories set in the Tarthian Empire.
An Immortal's Guide to Tarth is up next. When Sempervians arrive in the Tarthian Empire, they are handed this guidebook. By order of Pietas, read only if you are immortal...