Gareth stared out at the lightening sky. Dawn was breaking over Angonia City. It was a welcome sight — he needed this day to begin in order for it to end. Hopefully with Diana back in his bed.
He stretched his neck. He’d had a terrible night’s sleep. He’d been too aware that Diana was here in the palace again. Sharing a suite with Cassius, because the Tatrynian heir had insisted on it, but still. Gareth knew exactly where she was. It would take two minutes, 172 steps, to reach her. He was this close to holding her again, kissing her, sinking deep into her, but at the same time a long way from achieving that.
Peace, he hoped she would forgive him his actions when she’d last been here, and give herself to him. She hadn’t responded to any of the messages he’d sent her, and Cassandra had said she’d spoken of never wanting to see him again.
He had to convince her that his doubt in her was over. That he truly believed in her. That they were meant to be together.
Gareth nodded at the rising sun. The day had begun. One of the most important in his, and Angonia’s history. By the time it was done, hopefully the king would have a future queen.
But that was for this evening. Right now, his focus was on the memorial events.
It would start this morning with a parade to thank everyone who had helped secure the city and save lives. Then at dusk, at the moment the bomb had gone off, a memorial at the flightport.
For the first time in his reign, more effort had gone into security at a public event than the show people would witness. Huge gatherings like this would be the perfect target for anyone wanting to threaten Angonia. The area around both events had been cordoned off overnight and thoroughly searched for any bombs. They could only be entered through manned stations and everyone would be searched. Still, there was the fear that someone could sneak through the web and hurt a lot of people.
Gareth hoped fear wouldn’t keep everyone away. This was not just intended to give the people of Angonia an opportunity to thank and mourn, but to show anyone who threatened them that the people of Angonia would not be so easily cowed.
The door swished open. ‘Your Majesty.’
Gareth turned and smiled at Melina. ‘Good morning. How are things looking?’
‘Good, Sire. Both sites have been searched and anything unusual discarded. People have started to arrive at the parade route to snare the best spots — not many, but it’s four hours until the parade begins. Still, that’s a good sign, I think.’
‘I think so too. The parade participants?’
‘Also starting to arrive. No one has been in touch yet to pull out, so hopefully that means they will all take part. You’re due ay their gathering point in one hour to have breakfast with them and speak to as many of them as possible.’
‘The cards?’ Gareth had planned a surprise for his people. As they left the parade, each would receive a memento — a thank you card, personally signed by him. His hand still hurt from all the writing.
‘They have been delivered and staff chosen to hand them out.’
‘Any security reports?’
‘None as yet, Sire. All is quiet.’
‘Then I suppose I should start getting ready.’ He pulled a face. He hated the formal robes of Angonia.
Melina laughed. ‘Better you than me, Sire.’ She bowed and left.
An hour later, Gareth was leaving the palace. Stepping outside, he looked up into the sky. Perfect blue. Not a cloud to be seen. It was going to be sunny, warm, and stifling in the stupid robes.
The parade participants were gathered in a large warehouse at the end of the route. They would be marching through the centre of town, past both Hero Park and The Place before dispersing at the end. The warehouse had been secured for a couple of days and was probably, apart from the palace, the safest place in Angonia.
A cheer rose as he entered and Gareth smiled. It was moments like this that made all the stress, the worry, the work of kingship worthwhile. For the next two hours, he wandered amongst them, listening to their stories, sharing food and chatting. He still found it remarkable that his presence, his paying attention to someone could mean so much, but he was glad he had this power to bring happiness and comfort to people.
Then it was time for them to prepare to start the parade. Gareth went to wait in a small office before he would appear before the crowd outside and the parade would begin.
With him was Melina and Paul Raxon, his new head of security.
‘A huge crowd,’ Melina said. ‘We’ve had to stop letting people in. It feels like every person in Angonia tried to be here today.’
‘Wonderful,’ Gareth said. ‘Both in a good and bad way. I think I’ll have to do those thank you cards for everyone.’
‘I don’t think you’ll have to worry. Most of them are making their way over to the flightport to wait there, so they won’t miss out on that ceremony.’
Gareth’s heart swelled with pride. The Angonian people were not so easily subdued.
‘There were a handful of people refused entry because of their behaviour arousing suspicions,’ Raxon said. ‘We’ve got them locked away, although they can see the parade on screens. If it turns out we were hasty, they will require some consoling but I’m sure we’re going to find each of them was capable of causing problems.’
‘I trust your judgement,’ Gareth said. ‘What about our special guests?’
‘The protective shield is in place over their viewing platform. The Great Youson is refusing to use it, and is out mingling with the people.’
‘Well done, Harry,’ Gareth said.
‘The Empress of Haityn is in place, waving to the crowd, but she’s too scared to not be protected.’
‘Expected.’
‘The High Priest of Zagham is still at his prayers and will be joining us soon. The representatives of Rica and Tatryn are in the palace and have said they will not be attending until just before the parade begins.’
Gareth had thought Diana would come earlier, to see the people she had worked alongside, but he could understand that Cassius wouldn’t want to spend too long out in public. Tatryn was very much on the nose with most Angonians. Still, he was surprised that Diana would act as if she and Cassius were a couple.
‘Right,’ Gareth said. ‘So what exciting administrative trivia have you got for me in the next half hour?’
After spending time reading and signing a lot of forms, Gareth left the building and went to greet his people. He was going to walk the length of the parade route from the beginning to the midway point — a walk of about one kilometre. There was a tunnel running from the building to the middle of the roadway, so the parade could emerge within the secured area. As he stepped out of the tunnel, a roar from the crowd rang in his ears.
Smiling, waving, Gareth walked down the road. His people had come out in their finery, with beautiful clothes, their hair done, jewellery shining in the sun. They looked magnificent, and despite the fact his own body was soon covered in a sheen of sweat, his mood lifted.
Peace, but he was king of a remarkable people.
At the midway point, he stepped onto the viewing platform. His was on one side of the road, the platform for the guests on the other. He noted the High Priest of Zagham was there with the Empress of Haityn, and Cassius, but no Diana.
Gareth frowned. Had she refused to come at all?
Then something caught his eye, amongst the crowd. Diana was down with the people, talking, shaking hands, giving one woman who was crying a hug. She’d come, and she was eschewing the safety of the barrier to be with the ones that needed her.
What a wonderful queen she’d make for him.
The sound of a trumpet trilled through the air and a cheer rose from the end — the parade had begun.
Gareth waited for Diana to go and join Cassius in the protective booth but instead, she made her way to the front of the crowd. Harry was already standing there and Diana stood next to the Great Youson and waved to the people around her.
A chant rose up in her name — obviously the populace had heard of her work at the flightport. Diana blushed then laughed and waved to them all.
Except him. Gareth noted that she kept her gaze firmly from going anywhere near him.
The parade approached. It was headed by a band, playing the Angonian anthem. Behind them marched the security forces, and they got a big cheer. Then a float, with some of the pieces of the flightport on it, a reminder of the horror being commemorated today. Next were the flightport staff, security, medical services that had served during those horrid days after the bombing. They got the biggest cheer of all.
As they passed before Gareth, most turned and saluted him. Except for the flightport crew. They turned and bowed to the other side of the road. To Diana.
Diana pressed her hand to her mouth and he fancied he could see tears glistening in her eyes, even from this distance. Cat Ander broke from the parade, walked over to Diana and presented her with flowers. The two women talked, hugged, then Cat returned to her crew and the parade continued.
Well done, Gareth thought. Diana should actually be marching, receiving the thanks of a grateful country for her actions. This acknowledgement of her was well deserved.
As the last of the parade passed Gareth, he stepped back onto the road and walked the second half of the route so he could greet these people as well. At the end, he was swept away by his security team and returned to the palace.
In his suite, he shucked the robes and then stood in front of a fan to cool his heated skin.
An hour later, Melina came in. ‘The crowd has dispersed. No injuries. No bombs. We’re starting to dismantle the cordon, and security have moved over to the flightport to give it one last final sweep before we let people in.’
‘Thank Peace.’ One event had passed without incident. He prayed the next would too.
‘Lunch for you and your guests will be served in half an hour,’ Melina continued. ‘Although Miss Wiltmore won’t be there. She has a headache and needs to rest before tonight.’
Disappointment speared. He wanted to see her so badly, to tell her how proud he was of her. To look into her eyes and see her recognition of their true feelings for each other. ‘Tell her I wish her a swift recovery.’
Melina left, and Gareth tapped the top of his desk. Lunch would still be an interesting experience and hopefully, he could do something to help Diana escape Cassius.
Lunch was served in the formal dining room. Gareth hated it — gilt and uncomfortable chairs and glittering surfaces. But he knew people like the Empress of Haityn and Cassius would expect to dine in such salubrious surroundings.
He’d had his kitchen staff put on a feast of Angonian produce, cooked to perfection. The best wine was served. Cassius was seated in front of Gareth and he took over proceedings as soon as they all took their places.
‘I tender Diana’s apologies on her behalf,’ he said. ‘This morning was overwhelming for her, and she was sure she wouldn’t be the best company for anyone.’ With that last word, Cassius cast an arch glance at Gareth.
Let the games begin, Gareth thought, keeping his face perfectly blank as he looked at his guest.
‘Poor thing,’ the Empress said. ‘I’m not surprised. This morning no doubt brought up terrible memories for her. And to experience it all from within the crowd! A brave move, and the people loved it, but to live with that fear.’ The Empress shuddered.
‘Indeed, Diana has horrid memories of her time in Angonia.’ Another arch glance at Gareth. ‘But my love is easing her mind.’
‘Yes. Congratulations for being the one to snare Diana. Many have tried before you.’ The Empress gave a false laugh.
Interesting, Gareth thought. He knew the Empress’ interests lay in her own sex. She must have made a play for Diana and had been rebuffed.
‘Yes, Diana spent many years looking for the right man, casting herself into the bed of many before finally she found me. I am the only one capable of giving her the happiness she deserves.’
Gareth dearly wanted to punch Cassius in the face, but the only physical sign he would allow of his frustration was to curl his toes within his shoes. He guessed his feet would be quite cramped by the end of this meal.
‘You are getting married next week?’ Harry said. Cassius nodded. ‘Is that not a little unseemly?’
Hardness moved over Cassius’s face. ‘What do you mean?’
‘With everything that is happening, the threat to Angonia, people having died, it strikes me as being in bad taste to be celebrating a wedding.’
‘The people need something to celebrate,’ Cassius said. ‘Besides, Diana and I would already be wed, if she hadn’t been stolen from Tatryn.’ This time, he didn’t bother hiding the glare from Gareth.
‘I did what I thought was right for Miss Wiltmore’s safety,’ Gareth said.
‘Well, that is no longer your concern.’ Cassius turned to the High Priest of Zagham. ‘I hope Your Grace has made preparations to perform the ceremony.’
The High Priest frowned. ‘Indeed. But as the future Pontifex of Tatryn, don’t you wish to be married by the president of the planetarium?’
‘As long as Angonia is blaming Tatryn for the bombings, he will not be welcome at my wedding.’
Gareth blinked. It seemed Cassius had something to learn about diplomacy.
‘But Tatryn is to blame.’ The Empress wore her confusion clearly on her face.
‘We are not,’ Cassius said. ‘We are innocent.’
And unfortunately, Cassius actually was, Gareth thought. Kernan hadn’t found the man responsible for implicating Cassius. Gareth hoped it wouldn’t take too long. ‘I don’t believe I’ve ever said Tatryn is to blame.’
Cassius swung on him. ‘Yes, you have.’
‘No. I’ve said Tatrynians are to blame, and that cannot be disputed. We have read their minds. But not once have I laid the blame on your country or its leadership.’
Cassius’s eyes darted around the room, obviously searching for an answer. It came quickly. ‘Then why the sanctions against us?’
‘Not sanctions. There is still a threat. Hactrim taught more than one Tatrynian how to make e. Until Hactrim and the rest of his people are found and arrested, Angonia is under threat and I must protect my people. Their lives come before everything else.’
‘And Tatryn’s reputation comes before everything else for me.’
It was clear that when Cassius became Pontifex, he was going to be even more difficult to deal with than his aunt. ‘I am sorry that this is having a detrimental impact on Tatryn and once the threat is erased, I will be happy to meet with the Pontifex and yourself to see how the damage can be repaired. But until I know Angonia is safe, I will not lift the embargo on Tatryn goods.’
‘And there is your answer, Your Grace. Angonia will not be at the wedding, so I am grateful that you can preside.’ Cassius glared at Gareth and then smiled at the High Priest.
Without thinking, Gareth drained his wine glass. He immediately regretted it. He never drank too much at these events. He wasn’t going to allow Cassius to annoy him into doing so today.
He gestured to one of his staff and they came forward and refilled his glass with what looked like normal wine but was in fact non-alcoholic. It was how he got around keeping a clear head while appearing to enjoy as much as his guests.
Cassius’s lips gave a little twist, then he lifted his glass and downed all the wine. He clicked his fingers and it was refilled — with real wine, not Gareth’s special blend.
Cassius cocked his head at Gareth as if to say, ‘Your turn’. So, Gareth thought, you want a drinking match? Well, good. Get you drunk and you might spill something.
Gareth nodded and downed half his non-alcoholic wine. Cassius swallowed all of his glass and clicked for another. His grin said ‘I’m in front’.
The meal continued and Cassius got louder and more obstreperous. He lectured Harry on his priorities. He took the Empress to task for not expecting high moral values from her people. To Gareth he boasted of the things that he believed Tatryn did better than Angonia — in Gareth’s opinion, he was wrong about all of them. The only person he didn’t harangue was the High Priest.
Mostly, he crowed about Diana and the alliance being formed between Tatryn and Rica. The more he drank, the more ribald his commentary about Diana became, alluding to her naked beauty, how willingly she would take him, desperate to give him children and craving his touch.
If the Prince of Rica heard Cassius speaking like this about Diana so openly, he’d think twice about forcing the marriage. Gareth was grateful for the recording device he’d ordered placed under the table.
‘It’s hot in here,’ Cassius said when the meal was done and he’d drunk more than a bottle of wine himself. ‘Turn up the cooling, Angonia.’
‘Oh, please don’t,’ the Empress said. ‘I’m feeling chilled.’
‘I must acquiesce to the lady’s wishes, Cassius,’ Gareth said.
‘Damn it.’ Cassius undid the buttons and struggled out of the heavily gold embroidered coat. Underneath it, he wore a loose white shirt that was plastered to his chest with sweat. No wonder he was so hot, Gareth thought. It was long-sleeved and high-necked, like the coat.
‘Now, where was I? Oh, yes, the wedding. You know, Your Grace, I think we should resurrect the tradition of the bedding ceremony.’
Gareth almost spat out the mouthful of drink he’d just taken. He swallowed quickly. The bedding ceremony involved the bride and groom making love in front of witnesses, to prove the marriage had been consummated.
‘Is that really necessary?’ the High Priest of Zagham said.
‘I don’t want anyone to doubt the validity of my marriage,’ Cassius said.
Why would someone doubt it, Gareth thought. ‘Does Diana agree?’
Cassius swung at him. ‘Diana and I are of one mind, one heart,’ he snapped.
Not really an answer. ‘I merely enquired.’
‘You can keep your enquiries about my fiancée to yourself.’ Cassius slammed the rest of his drink down his throat then raised the glass in the air. ‘More!’
His sleeve slid down his arm, and Gareth’s gaze was drawn to a mark. A tattoo, that started high on the wrist and moved up the arm, disappearing under the material of the shirt. Twining lines, intermixed with eyes…
Gareth’s body stilled, his blood cooled, his heart felt like it was hammering in his head.
The mark of the capaz de pensa.
His eyes dropped away from the tattoo and he attempted to breathe. Cassius was a capaz de pensa, and Diana had been in his mind…
Gareth waved his little finger, a sign to his waiting staff. A young man lifted his hand to his ear, as if listening to something, then came forward.
‘Your Majesty, my apologies, but your head of security needs to see you urgently.’
Gareth stood. ‘My friends, I must leave you,’ he said. ‘Please, remain here. Continue to talk and drink. I will see you at the memorial this evening.’
Cassius banged the glass on the table. ‘I win.’
Yes, you bastard, I think you do. Gareth bowed his head in acknowledgement, then headed out the door.
He ran to his office and contacted Cassandra.
‘Cassius is a capaz de pensa.’
‘What? Are you sure?’
‘I saw the tattoo. Peace, Cassandra. Diana was in his head. She fucking connected with a capaz de pensa. What sort of training has she had?’
All the colour leeched out of Cassandra’s face. ‘Just the basics. She didn’t do anything once she became an adult. Oh, Gareth. She was having problems getting in, so I told her how to hypnotise him. She thought she had complete control.’
Gareth thumped the table. ‘Didn’t you test him before you sent her in?’
‘I felt his mind. I saw nothing to suggest he was an über-trained super mind.’ Tears were welling in Cassandra’s eyes. ‘What did he do to her?’
‘Well, obviously he’s convinced her that he’s innocent.’
‘But if he is capaz, why let her into his mind at all? And if he did, then why show her the truth at first?’
Gareth considered the options and remembered the hardness on Cassius’s face. ‘Because he knows. He knows that Diana once knew the truth, but now he owns her. It makes his victory all the sweeter.’
‘Gareth, you have to save her.’
Gareth slumped. ‘I don’t know if I can. I’ve never heard of anyone undoing the work of a capaz de pensa.’
‘There’s got to be a way. Talk to Kernan. If anyone would know, it would be him. Do whatever it takes, Gareth. You’ve got my permission. My sister is not going to be taken by that man.’
Gareth disconnected and leant back in his chair. What a terrible situation. Diana’s mind had been tampered with, so she now believed Cassius innocent. What else had he done to her? Did she now believe herself in love with him? Was that why she didn’t want to talk to Gareth?
Cassandra was right — Gareth had to save her. He had to do whatever it took to restore her to her right mind. And if that happened to destroy any chance he had with her, then so be it.
Diana’s future happiness was more important than his own.
***
Diana stood in the doorway of the second bedroom of her suite and stared at the sight of Cassius, sprawled on his stomach in the middle of the bed, snoring. He’d come back from lunch drunk, crowing about how he’d done Gareth and shown the Angonian king what a real man was. Then he’d kicked off his shoes, flung himself on the bed and told her to wake him when it was time to leave.
The sound that escaped from his mouth was like a whining mine crank, struggling to pull a full tray up from the depths of the shaft. It screeched and stalled and then exploded in a whoosh of exhalation.
Part of her wanted to leave him here and let him miss the ceremony and deal with the anger of the Pontifex. It would serve him right for such an adolescent act.
Except having Cassius by her side, being able to pretend she was happy with their engagement, was the perfect excuse to avoid Gareth. She’d managed to avoid going to lunch with him, but she couldn’t not attend the ceremony.
Seeing Cat and the others from the flightport that morning had made it clear to her how important it was to the Angonian people that she be there. Her presence during the tragedy had made her one of them, and they weren’t going to let her forget it.
Diana approached the bed and called out his name. She didn’t want to find herself in the reach of a swinging arm if he woke up badly, as Cassandra was wont to do.
There was no response from the man on the bed, so she called out a little louder. Nothing. She yelled. He mumbled, but didn’t move. She poked his leg. His back. His arm. She took his shoulder and shook it.
None of it worked. Cassius slept solidly on.
Diana folded her arms across her chest and frowned at him. There had to be a way…
She nodded, went into his bathroom and returned with a glass of water. Telling herself he deserved it — who got that drunk in the middle of the day, anyway? — she threw it at him.
His eyes blinked open, he shook his head once, twice, then he mumbled and sank back into sleep again.
Well, Diana thought, this is a fix. He needs to wake up. We have to leave in less than half an hour. I can’t go without him.
She wouldn’t have a whole street and a crowd between her and Gareth this time. He would be right there, just metres away, possibly within reach. She’d felt his intense gaze throughout the parade and it had been like the sun on a bad burn — painful in a deep way.
So she went back to the bathroom, got the coldest water she could, and threw it directly into Cassius’s face.
He awoke with a start and a roar, and Diana backed away.
‘You wouldn’t wake up,’ she said. ‘I panicked. I thought something was wrong.’
He rubbed his forehead. ‘I feel terrible,’ he moaned. ‘I’m sick, Diana. I don’t need you throwing water at me.’
‘You have to get up and get ready to go.’
‘I can’t.’ Cassius flopped onto his back. ‘I don’t know what that bastard put in the wine, but he’s poisoned me.’
‘Cassius, you have to come. I can’t go alone.’
‘Of course not,’ he said, his eyes closed. ‘You won’t go either.’
‘But — we’re the representatives for Rica and Tatryn. We have to show up.’
‘Bet this is what Angonia planned in poisoning me. Bastard.’
Diana saw this as the way out. ‘Then don’t let him win. Get up. Come with me. Prove that you are better than him.’
‘I can’t. I’m too sick.’
‘I’ll get a healer.’ Diana rushed to the front door. An Angonian security officer stood there, ready to escort her and Cassius.
‘The Heir of Tatryn needs a healer, urgently,’ Diana said. ‘He’s very ill.’
‘Of course, Miss Wiltmore.’ The officer bowed and rushed away.
Diana went back into the bedroom and found Cassius asleep, snoring again. She took a deep breath, filled her lungs, and expelled it. He had to be all right. He had to be.
The healer arrived and woke Cassius up again. Cassius whinged and grumbled and moaned and complained. The healer checked him out and then tutted.
‘Hungover,’ she said. ‘A shot of ephedrine and he’ll be fine.’
‘Not hungover,’ Cassius said. ‘I don’t get hungover. I can drink any man under the table. I’m trained.’
Trained to drink? Diana thought.
‘Let’s just see how this works.’ The healer prepared the needle and injected Cassius in his stomach. Then she looked at Diana. ‘Five minutes and he’ll be up and at ‘em.’
‘Thank you.’
Sure enough, five minutes later, Cassius was on his feet and having a shower. ‘Not hungover,’ he said as he came out. ‘She must have had the antidote to the poison. Angonia is playing with my head.’
‘I’m just glad to see you’re well again.’.
Outside, the sky had gone the pale blue that prefaced the beginning of evening. Security put Diana and Cassius in a vehicle and drove them out to the flightport.
As they approached, images started to come to Diana. The smell. The smoke drifting in the air. The heat of the fire. The crack and thud of balcite breaking. The screams, the screams that she still heard in her dreams. The sight of body after body, some burnt beyond recognition, and family after family devastated by the loss.
Diana wrapped her arms around her waist. Tears rose, and she closed her eyes and prayed that this night would remain peaceful.
‘We’re here.’ Cassius got out of the vehicle and walked away, seemingly entranced by the huge crowd. Beyond them the ruin of the flightport was lit up as if it were a statue.
Diana stayed sitting, unable to move. She stared at the spears of dark balcite piercing the pink and orange sky and her heart beat against her chest as if trying to break free.
‘Diana.’
She turned. Gareth stood by the side of the vehicle. She was astonished her first emotion wasn’t revulsion but need. The need to be held. The need to be comforted.
They stared at each other, a long tense moment.
‘You need to face it,’ he said softly. ‘You need to look and see what happened. It’s the only way you’ll find any peace.’
‘I doubt I’ll ever truly have peace again,’ Diana said, but she stood. He extended his hand and Diana looked at it for a long moment, trying to think of a way to refuse his assistance and not appear rude. When she couldn’t, she took his hand and let him aid her out of the vehicle.
The moment she was standing firmly on the ground, she pulled her hand free. ‘Thank you.’
‘You’re welcome. You look lovely tonight.’
Diana looked away.
‘Hey!’ Cassius bustled over. He grabbed Diana and pulled her roughly to his side. ‘She’s mine, Angonia.’
‘I know,’ Gareth said. ‘I suggest you take better care of her.’ He walked away.
‘Stupid bastard.’
‘Cassius.’ Diana couldn’t stop herself shaking, both from the memories and the encounter with Gareth. ‘I don’t want to be here.’
‘Oh, no you don’t. You forced me from my sick bed to be here, you won’t be leaving now.’ He dragged her toward the entry to the memorial site.
So Diana had no choice but to enter the flightport, stand on the podium and attempt to look composed as the events of that night were recounted and the names of the dead read out.
Once they were on the podium, Cassius let her go. He took a small step forward, to stand a little before the rest of the royals and special guests, and smiled magnanimously at the crowd.
Diana wished he’d stayed by her. She’d even have taken hold of his hand, she wanted some comfort so badly. Not just because of the memories that were rising. Gareth was right next to her, and she was aware of his every breath, his every movement. When he spoke, it was like something was simultaneously stroking a feather up and down her back and pouring hot oil down her throat. Stimulating and revolting.
She wanted to run, far away from Angonia, and never return.
She stared at the ruin before her, and slowly the calm beauty of the ceremony and the jagged wonder of the flightport worked on her. This, she realised, was more important than any of her conflicted emotions. She had to be here, to be strong for these amazing people.
Then she heard the word ‘Rica’ and she looked at Gareth. He was standing at the microphone at the front of the podium and looking at her. The crowd broke into a loud cheer.
What had just happened?
Gareth came forward. ‘Please help me give out the medals to all those who helped on that night,’ he murmured.
‘Oh. Of course.’
She stood beside him. One by one, names were called and they came up. They received their medal and a handshake from Gareth, and then a handshake from her.
Faces she remembered, some with names, some without. All of them thanking her for her help, her support. Warmth stole over Diana and the last of her fears fled.
The crew of her ship were there, and Diana gave them each a kiss on the cheek, drawing applause from the watching crowd.
‘Finally,’ Gareth said, ‘Diana Wiltmore.’
Diana looked at him. ‘What?’
‘You helped. You get a medal.’ He lifted it up. Diana bowed her head and he slipped it on. Did he caress the back of her neck as he did so, or was that touch accidental? Regardless, it sent a surprising shaft of desire through her body.
She straightened and stepped away. So she wasn’t immune to him yet. Well, she would be.
‘Hear them, Diana. They love you.’ Gareth gestured to the crowd. ‘You will forever hold a special place in the heart of all Angonians.’
Diana smiled at the crowd and waved, then stepped back to where the other dignitaries stood.
Cassius gave her a dark look and Diana gave it back. He had no right to be angry with her, whatever the reason was. She was the one having the hard time here.
‘I thank you all for joining us here today,’ Gareth said. ‘Let us never forget what happened here, and always love those closest to us, for you never know when you will lose them.’
Gareth stepped back and the band struck up. But then Cassius walked across in front of them and over to the microphone.
‘People of Angonia,’ he shouted. The band died. The hubbub that had broken out in the crowd died. ‘Tatryn is your friend. We abhor the heinous crime that was perpetrated on you. Please, do not keep us at bay, but hold us close to you, so that we can support and secure each other during this terrible time. You need us. Let us help. Thank you.’
‘Fucking bastard,’ Gareth muttered, and Diana had to agree. She was appalled at how insensitive Cassius’s speech was.
She waited until they were back in the vehicle and returning to the palace before she spoke. ‘Cassius, you shouldn’t have made that speech.’
He turned to her, his expression darkening. ‘I beg your pardon?’
‘It was very inappropriate to plead for Tatryn at that moment. Talk to Gareth, certainly, but the people of Angonia are still hurting. They don’t need the pressure of politics placed on them.’
‘I have a duty to the people of Tatryn.’
‘You will be Pontifex, and thus a member of the planetarium, so you have a duty to all the people of Jorda.’
Cassius moved so quickly, it shocked her. Diana squeaked as his hands gripped the side of her head. He looked deeply into her eyes.
‘Diana,’ he said, and a strange fuzziness flowed over her thoughts. ‘Diana, listen to me carefully. You will not speak to me in such a way. Your only role in this marriage is to accept my cock any time I want to fuck you, and to bear my children. Do you understand?’
When he put it like that, it made perfect sense. ‘Yes, I do.’
The fuzziness grew deeper.
‘What do you think of the speech I made?’
‘What speech?’
‘That’s my girl.’ He pulled her close and kissed her, thrusting his tongue deep in her mouth.
Then he released her. ‘Tonight, we will make love.’
Diana nodded, and wondered why the idea both aroused her and disgusted her.
***
For dinner, the dignitaries were again invited to dine with Gareth. This time, Cassius joined Diana in declining the invitation. They ate dinner in the suite and talked of their wedding.
‘The royal robes are being re-fitted for us,’ Cassius said. ‘The Great Hall is being re-painted, with the roof showcasing murals of the two of us. The floor will be strewn with flower petals, flown in from Zagham. Every step we take will release a wonderful perfume.’
‘That sounds lovely,’ Diana said, although it sounded positively hideous.
‘The wedding you’ve always dreamt of, right?’ Cassius patted her hand.
Diana shook her head. ‘Actually, I never dreamed of getting married. When we played as little girls, Cassie was always the bride. I was the bridesmaid, because I could wear better dresses and I was free to party with whoever I wanted.’
‘But now you just want to party with me, right?’
Diana wasn’t sure how to answer that. Somehow, over the course of the day, her resistance to marrying Cassius had faded. But she didn’t want him. Wasn’t attracted to him. Was sure she didn’t love him.
‘I’m happy to do my duty,’ she murmured.
‘Let’s go for a walk after dinner,’ Cassius said. ‘Like we did that first day we met. We should make it a habit. Night time is so peaceful.’
Scared to anger him, Diana agreed.
They finished eating and left the palace. There were lots of people out on the street, eating at the restaurants that surrounded the palace, window shopping the stores, meeting and drinking.
Diana was hailed several times by people who wanted to thank her for her support of Angonia during the bombing. They all had stories — one said Diana had held his hand while he cried over the body of his dead wife. Another said Diana had sat down with their orphaned grandchildren and played games until the children could be collected by their relatives, giving the little ones comfort during the most difficult moment of their lives.
Every time, Cassius would make a point of telling the person that it wasn’t Tatryn’s fault. None of this was Tatryn’s fault. And Diana felt more and more she shouldn’t want to marry him, but she couldn’t dig up the usual degree of disgust at the idea.
Finally, Cassius dragged her back to the palace. ‘Angonians are so self-absorbed,’ he muttered. ‘All they care about is themselves. I can’t wait for us to return to Tatryn tomorrow and we’ll never have to come here again.’
‘Won’t we need to for planetarium meetings and events?’ Diana said.
‘If the Prince of Rica can attend virtually, then so can I. There will be no need for either of us to ever leave the palace. We can create our own special world and live in peace and harmony.’
Back in the suite at the palace, Diana was hauled into Cassius’s arms and kissed, thoroughly. He pulled back and looked into her eyes. Diana swayed as arousal washed over her, sudden and surprising.
‘You’ll accept my cock and you’ll like it,’ Cassius said.
‘Yes,’ Diana murmured.
It was quick — Cassius wasn’t one for foreplay, and did just enough to ensure a comfortable readiness on Diana’s part. She didn’t orgasm, but it wasn’t an unpleasant experience, even though she was aware that it didn’t feel right.
After, he lay asleep, and Diana stared up at the ceiling. She was still on birth control so she wouldn’t have fallen pregnant. She should stop taking it. It was her duty to bear Cassius’s children.
That was where she would find her joy. Not with Cassius, for he was too full of hate and judgement, but with her children. She’d ensure they were happy, and grew up wanting peace and joy for all the residents of Jorda.
When had she changed her mind? There was no doubt now she had. She was going to marry Cassius and be the mother of the future Pontifex of Tatryn. It was what her life would be and she accepted it. But she’d been so against it. How could she have made such a turn…?
There was no point in worrying herself over the mystery. It was done, and she would make it good. Diana rolled over and went to sleep.