Ristèard Unwilling Empress (18 page)

His lips tightened when he saw one of the mercenaries raise a weapon and point it at the tiny woman’s head. His fingers curled in an effort to keep from reacting too soon. He couldn’t help them, if he was captured as well. He had traveled a long way to find what he was looking for and wasn’t about to risk losing it.

He recognized the tall Kassisan standing off to the side. He had minor interactions with him from time to time over the past year. The huge male shrugged off the hands restraining him and held up a piece of paper. Whatever was on it, it appeared to satisfy the mercenary because after he looked at it, the male turned on his heel and walked away.

A menacing smile curved Rime’s face. Slipping into the shadows he worked his way through the empty carts littering the main marketplace. He needed to speak with the Kassisan.

*.*.*

“You shouldn’t have given him the paper,” Nema fretted, winding her hands together. “What if he hurts Ricki? Oh, Walter, what if he hurts our baby girl?”

Walter pulled his trembling wife into his arms and held her tightly against his body. He cursed the fact that she would be able to feel him shaking as well. When Andras had threatened to kill Nema, it had scared the life out of him.

“They are way ahead of him,” Walter said soothingly. “Plus, she has Marvin and Martin. There is no way anyone can hurt those two.”

“Nema, why don’t you sit and rest,” Ajaska suggested. “Walter, is right. Ricki has the two Kor d’lurs. They are very protective of her.”

“So am I,” a voice behind them stated coldly. “Who is he and why is he after my daughter?”

Ajaska shifted to the side. He had caught a glimpse of the Glacian as he slipped into the lower chamber. He recognized Rime’s huge shape almost immediately.

“Your… Your… Who in the hell are you? And who is your daughter?” Walter stuttered, glaring suspiciously at the tall man with the eerily familiar blue eyes.

“Ambassador Rime, from the Glacian star system,” Rime replied. “Ricki is my daughter. I have been looking for her ever since the Coalition agreed with the Alliance about contacting Earth. I tried to get there before the Trivators arrived, but I didn’t make it. By the time I arrived, Earth had turned into a war zone.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” Walter asked, glaring back and forth between Ajaska and Rime. “Why are you saying Earth is a war zone?”

Ajaska grimaced and cast an apologetic glance at Walter and Nema. “I meant to tell you about that,” he said with a sigh. “But, now is not the time.” He turned to Rime. “Can you get some of those weapons that Lyna and the others use?”

“Of course,” Rime replied, starting to turn. He paused when Nema stepped forward and touched his arm.

“Is it true?” She asked quietly, searching his cold, hard face. “Are you Ricki’s biological father?”

Rime’s gaze focused on the soft brown eyes staring up at him. He had made the right decision twenty-four years ago to leave Ricki with the two tiny humans. His throat tightened when he thought of the danger she was in. If he wasn’t careful, he might never get to meet her.

“Yes,” he replied in a curt voice. “I’ll return shortly. Do you know where the bastard was going?”

A cold, hard look came into Ajaska’s eyes and he nodded. “I’ll come with you,” he said. “You’ll need my help to get through the traps set up. We’ll need to get to him before he reached the fifth one, I haven’t been through it or the others.” He turned and looked down at Sadao’s pale face. Andras had struck the man in his broken arm when he tried to protect Walter and Nema. “Watch over them,” he ordered.

“Always,” Sadao replied, struggling to stand up. “Ajaska…”

Ajaska paused in the shadows of a large cart. “Yes?”

“If Ristéard doesn’t kill Andras, make sure you do,” Sadao said in a cold voice. “What he has done deserves no less.”

Ajaska stood still for a fraction of a second longer before he nodded. Turning, he followed Rime. The former Star Ranger moved in the shadows as if he was one of them. Ajaska decided it might not hurt to do a little more research on the Glacians. They were a very talented bunch to have on his side.

Ajaska nodded to Lyna. He and Rime had worked their way around until they found where two of Andras’ men were holding the Keeper and her guards. Rime’s silent elimination of the men reaffirmed his conclusion that he needed to have a serious talk with the Glacian.

“How do you do that?” He asked under his breath. “The ice thing.”

Rime’s lips curved up at the corner. “It’s genetic,” he replied.

“Well, damn,” Ajaska muttered in disappointment, using one of the new words he had learned from his human friends. Turning, he looked at Lyna. “Can you and your guards take care of the others?”

Lyna twirled the staff in her hands. Her chin lifted as she glared back at him. From the cold smile on her face, it didn’t look like she would have any trouble.

“The male, Andras, claimed to be friends of the Empress,” Lyna replied stiffly. “I will not believe so easily next time.”

“Let’s go,” Rime growled. “The longer we take, the farther ahead Andras will be.”

Ajaska nodded. The two of them slipped through the narrow area, once again using the structures scattered about as cover. The few men that Andras had brought were not covering the lower areas. It was obvious that Andras considered the men expendable. What concerned him was that the male must have another exit plan.

“The only exit plan he’ll have is being dead if I have my way,” Rime replied in a tight voice to Ajaska’s softly spoken thought.

“So, how is it you have a half human daughter?” Ajaska asked, glancing over his shoulder. “I thought it was forbidden for any member of the Coalition to be on a primitive planet.”

Rime glared at the back of Ajaska’s head. “It’s a long story,” he snapped. “And a personal one.”

Ajaska shrugged as they stopped just before the first trap. “When this is over, I’ll buy you a drink and you can tell me it,” he offered. “Make sure you do exactly as I do or I’ll be having that drink by myself.”

Rime grimaced as he watched Ajaska navigate the stones. “Just keep in mind who just saved your ass,” he said, following. “Oh, and I might warn you I have very expensive tastes.”

Ajaska broke into a steady jog, now familiar with their path. “Why does that not surprise me?” He muttered, slowing as they approached the next trap.

*.*.*

Ristéard focused on the sound of Ricki’s footsteps. He knew what Andras was capable of, after all, they had trained together since they were ten. What he had not expected was his former friend’s deviousness. Now, small things that had happened over the years began to make sense.

Andras family had been quiet, withdrawn, during their years in captivity, yet Andras had sought him out. There had been two occasions when he had been with Andras when he had almost died. Both times, Andras had been with him, before disappearing. The first time had been when a narrow footbridge made from wood and rope had snapped as he was going across. Andras had been in the lead, but had stopped. He had told Ristéard to go ahead, that he would catch up.

The bridge had snapped when Ristéard was half way across it. He had managed to grab hold of one of the wooden planks that made up the bridge. He had eventually pulled himself up. The next day, he had returned to look at the bridge, but Andras’ father had already replaced it.

He stumbled upon the remains of the rope from the bridge several months later. It was obvious one side had been partially cut through. Andras’ father had said that he used part of the rope elsewhere which is why it was cut, but Ristéard knew the man was lying.

The next time was when they were climbing up one of the rock faces to a higher level. Andras had been ahead of him and went over the ledge before he made it to the top. A large boulder at the top came loose and crashed to the floor of the cavern they were in. If he had not noticed an easier way up the side and shifted his direction, he would have been in line with the boulder and killed. Andras had peered over the side shortly afterwards and joked that he had missed Ristéard by just a few inches.

Other times washed through him. The issues with the shields the most recent. Andras had been hinting that perhaps Emyr or Harald were to blame. He was the one who suggested that they be reassigned to deal with the unrest in the former councilmen’s zones.

Andras had also wanted to go with them on this journey, but Ristéard thought he would be better suited finding the traitor who was sabotaging the shields. No wonder Jarmen was having issues finding the problem. Andras could stay one step ahead, by making the issues look random and fixing the issue before Jarmen arrived.

Touching his leg, Ristéard grimaced at the pain. Ricki had slowed the bleeding, but it would need to be stopped. Sliding the small laser knife out of the sheath at his waist, he pressed the button on the handle to extend the heated blade.

Looking down, he raised his head just high enough to be able to see the wound. He moved the blade over the area and pressed it against the torn flesh of his thigh. His head fell back against the hard crystal floor as the sickening scent of burning flesh reached him. He stared up at the ceiling, his jaw hurting from the force of keeping any sound from escaping him.

It took several minutes for the pain to dim to a dull, steady throb instead of the shooting agony it had been. He retracted the blade, keeping it in his hand as he rolled onto his stomach. From his position, he could see Ricki as she carefully walked across the long narrow bridge. Andras followed her, he was mindful to stay back several feet.

“What now?” Andras’ voice echoed in the chamber.

Ricki had her back to him. She was gazing up at the massive doors. After several long seconds, she turned to look at Andras.

“I’m not strong enough to open the doors,” she admitted. “The first Empress must have been pure Glacian. She used ice to expand the locks. It has to be done correctly for the locks to disengage.”

Ristéard’s jerked when Andras struck Ricki across the face. The blow knocked her back against the doors. Her body slowly slid down them when her knees gave out under her.

“Wrong answer,” Andras snapped. “I’ve seen what you can do.”

Ristéard was about to rise when he saw Ricki struggling back to her feet. His hands pressed against the floor to push him up when he felt a presence behind him. Rolling, he stared into a set of familiar blue eyes set in a very unfamiliar face. His eyes flickered to the man kneeling next to the stranger.

Ajaska’s silver eyes stared back at him with cold determination. The long darts that had been embedded in Marvin and Martin’s necks were clenched in his fist. Ristéard glanced back at where Ricki stood. Her hands were pressed against the door.

He knew that she would try to open the doors. He worried about what it would do to her. Just the small bursts of ice that she had done had drained her. He feared something of this magnitude would kill her.

“Ricki,” he whispered in a husky voice. “If she tries to open the doors, it might kill her.”

“What is she trying to do?” Rime asked.

“I’m not sure, but I think it has something to do with ice,” Ristéard said hoarsely. “We have to stop Andras.”

“Is there another trap?” Ajaska asked, quietly.

Ristéard nodded. “Yes,” he replied, bowing his head. “There is a line in the center. We have to stay on it. The bridge will collapse otherwise.”

Ajaska nodded. “Rime and I will go,” he said, starting to rise.

Ristéard shook his head. “No,” he said in determination. “I will go. See if you two can wake Marvin and Martin. Don’t let Andras know you are here.”

Rime looked around. A grim smile curved his lips. He didn’t need to use the crystal bridge, he could make his own with ice.

“You distract him,” Rime instructed. “I’ll make my own bridge and get across. Ajaska, you try to wake up the Kor d’lurs. I haven’t come this far to lose her now.”

“Lose her… Who are you?” Ristéard demanded, glaring at the male who was ordering him around.

Rime turned to look at Ristéard. “My name is Rime. Ricki is my daughter,” he said quietly.

*.*.*

Ricki glared at Andras. Her right hand was pressed against her heated cheek. It pulsed from where he had struck her.

“I’m telling you, I can’t do it,” she said, using the door to help pull her to her feet. “I can make a small amount of ice, but nothing like what it would take to move the locks in the door.”

Fear flashed through her when he pointed the weapon in his hand at her head. Ricki stared back at him, waiting. They both turned when they heard Ristéard’s harsh voice call out.

“Andras, don’t,” Ristéard said. “Let her go. She is telling you the truth.”

Ricki tried to jerk away as Andras shifted. A low cry escaped her when he reached out and pulled her in front of him before he turned to face Ristéard. She bit back another pain filled cry when his fingers tightened on her arm in warning.

“That’s far enough,” Andras warned. “You are just as resilient as ever, I see.”

Ristéard’s face froze into a calm mask. “None of your assassins could kill me, what makes you think you can?”

Andras lifted the weapon in his hand and pressed it against Ricki’s temple. Ricki trembled as she looked back at Ristéard. Her fingers clenched and she could feel the familiar tingle on the tips of them.

Her eyes narrowed and she glanced down, before raising her eyes to his again. She saw understanding dawn in his eyes before they shifted back to Andras. Her breath caught when she saw him grimace as he stepped off the bridge.

“I’ll kill her,” Andras bit out in a cold voice. “You know I will.”

“If you do, then you’ll never get the locks undone,” Ristéard pointed out, knowing he was right.

Andras took a step back toward the door. “You’re right,” he said, pulling the weapon away from her temple to wave it at Ristéard. “Move…”

Ricki reacted the second the weapon moved away from her head. Her hand flew up, her palm directed over her shoulder and at Andras face. His loud curse echoed in the chambers as a burst of ice flew into his eyes.

Ricki darted forward into Ristéard’s arms. The flash of the hot blade leaving Ristéard’s hand flew by her. She turned in time to see it embed in Andras chest at the same time as he fell forward. Her eyes widened at the long shafts of ice protruding from his back.

Turning dazed eyes to the man walking up from behind Andras, she gazed into eyes the same color as hers. She trembled and backed up as he came closer. Her fingers instinctively searched for Ristéard’s when he wrapped his arm around her waist.

“Who… Who… are you?” She whispered, staring at the man.

Rime paused several feet from where Andras’ body lay. Ice still coated his fists. Raising them, she watched as the ice dissolved into a mist. Her head turned and she watched as Ajaska, Marvin, and Martin slowly crossed the bridge.

“My parents?” She asked, staring at Ajaska.

“They are fine,” Ajaska assured her.

The man standing in front of her glanced over at Martin and Marvin. He knew they didn’t realize that he had seen them all those years ago. They were the ones he had originally been hired to bring in. It had taken some serious hunting to find the real criminals behind the slayings on the Service Port. Only when he had proof the two Kor d’lurs were not responsible had the bounty on their heads been revoked.

“Thank you,” Rime said, nodding his head.

Martin gave him a reluctant smile. “It is we who should thank you. The least we could do was watch over your daughter,” he replied.

“The bounty?” Marvin asked.

“Revoked almost fifteen years ago,” Rime responded.

Ricki glanced back and forth, frowning. “Wait a minute,” she whispered. “Daughter? Whose daughter?”

Ristéard’s grip on her tightened when the stranger took a step closer to her. Ricki was thankful for his support even as she worried about his leg. The trembling that had started earlier from the rock climbing blossomed into full blown shakes as shock began to set in.

“My daughter,” Rime replied in a solemn voice. “You are my daughter, Ricki. Your mother was a human woman I met. She was killed shortly after you were born by some radical humans who suspected I was not from your world. I wasn’t able to save her, but I did find you. I stole you away from them. I wanted to take you with me, but I knew where I was going it would be too dangerous for a baby. I had a lot of enemies at the time that would do anything they could, to get to you. I also had to take into consideration the Coalition, which rules my world. Earth was considered a primitive planet and was considered off-limits, even if I was on assignment. I would have been instructed to eliminate any Earthlings I came into contact with since we did not have the technology at the time to erase the memories of those we came across like we do now.” He paused for a moment, drawing in a deep breath as he stared down at her. “I knew you would be different. I needed a place where you would be accepted for who you were,” he explained quietly.

“What… What is your name?” She asked hesitantly.

Rime stepped forward, unable to resist touching the daughter he thought he would never see again. His fingers skimmed her soft cheek. She looked very much like the woman he had fallen in love with when he was a young Star Ranger.

“My name is Rime. I’m Glacian,” he said. “You look just like your mother did when she was your age.”