Ristèard Unwilling Empress (10 page)

He ignored the choked scream of the dying man, instead turning to stop one of Texla’s guards from running him through from behind. Swinging both blades with a cold precision, he dispatched the guard and turned back to find Texla. He wanted answers and the greedy bastard was going to provide them for him before he died.

“Ristèard, behind you,” Emyr shouted, twisting in an effort to get away from the two guards attacking him.

Ristèard sidestepped and turned on his heel, bowing low. The blade aimed for his neck swished over his head by the width of his little finger. Thrusting forward, he buried the short sword in his left hand into the chest of the guard. He yanked the sword out and turned as another guard came at him.

“Harald, try to get to Ricki and Sadao,” he shouted, his eyes scanning over the fighting mass, searching for Texla. “Texla!” He roared, spying the sneaky bastard climbing over the body of one of the elderly councilmen.

Texla turned and sneered. The sneer turned to panic when the door to the council room exploded inward. His eyes widened when he saw an assortment of unusual men standing in the doorway.

He immediately recognized the Kassisan, but not the others with him. The two large men standing on either side of two smaller beings, suddenly shuddered. As they did, their bodies began to contort and change into massive creatures with thick, silvery scales.

“Kill them,” Texla yelled in a shrilled voice. “Kill them!”

Ristèard’s face twisted in rage at the cowardly traitor’s retreat. “I think not. Ajaska, find Ricki! She is in danger,” he yelled, climbing over the low wall that led to the upper sitting area.

“I will go,” Jarmen replied, his eyes glowing a dark red. “She is in his office, according to the current video surveillance.”

“Marvin, take Walter and Nema to safety,” Ajaska ordered, striking at several men as they attacked.

A low snarl behind Ristèard had him twisting. He found himself face to face with one of the Kor d’lur. The man’s eyes swept upward. The large creature grabbed one of the chairs next to him and swung it at Texla, catching the man in the back with a satisfied snort.

“Thanks,” Ristèard grunted, jumping up onto the table and using them as stairs to get to the fallen man. Dropping down next to Texla, he rolled the man over onto his back and struck him hard across the jaw. “Now, I’ll show you how a Prison rat makes someone talk,” he growled, running the tip of his sword along Texla’s stomach.

“Ristèard!” Andras called out urgently.

Ristèard shifted, glancing at Andras, who was climbing up the side of the platform. The look of worry in his second-in-commands eyes told him that something had happened. His eyes flickered around the room.

He could see that Ajaska and the Kor d’lur were finishing up the remaining rebels while Emyr was pressing a cloth to Manderlin’s shoulder. His gaze moved back down to Texla. The male was still dazed from the blow from the chair and from where he had hit him.

“Ristèard, Sadao just contacted me,” Andras said in a low voice. “Ricki collapsed. Sadao says he cannot get her to wake.”

Fear burst through Ristèard. Bending, he pulled Texla up by the front of his shirt and struck him hard across the jaw with the butt of his sword. Texla’s head fell backwards from the blow. Ristèard dropped the man and twisted.

“Make sure he and any of his men that are still alive are locked up,” Ristèard snarled, jumping down onto the lower floor of the council room. “And Andras, make sure all the traitors are cleared from the palace. Keep only those that you trust within its walls.”

He didn’t wait for any of the others. His mind was on Ricki. He would kill Sadao if he let anything happen to her. Fear drove him through the corridors. He slowed briefly when he saw the litter of bodies on the floor.

Ristèard slowed when he noticed Jarmen kneeling outside of his office door, attending to one of the wounded guards. The unusual male glanced up briefly, his eyes glowing an eerie red for a moment before they changed to black when he recognized Ristèard. Ignoring Jarmen, he touched the panel near the door with his hand.

The moment the locks disengaged, he pulled the massive door open and stepped inside, his eyes immediately searching for Ricki’s golden hair and slender body. He saw Sadao rise up from behind his desk. Worry and concern creased his brow as he returned Ristèard’s questioning gaze.

“I only left her for a few moments to check that the other rooms were secured. When I returned, I found her lying here,” Sadao explained, moving out of the way when Ristèard strode forward. “Her breathing appears normal and I cannot find any signs of trauma. I’ve tried to wake her, but she doesn’t respond. It is as if she is in some type of trance.”

*.*.*.

Ricki turned in a circle, trying to figure out where she was. A gasp escaped her when she saw the figure of a woman striding toward her. The woman looked just like her! She staggered backwards when the figure walked right through her body.

Turning in disbelief, Ricki watched as the woman glanced back toward her with a frown before turning and disappearing around the corner. Curious, Ricki followed her. Surprise and fascination filled her when she saw that the long corridor she had been standing in was actually the entrance to a large, underground city.

Glancing back the way she came, she saw the mammoth sized doors at the far end. The corridor was actually a bridge that led from the doors to the city. On each side of the bridge was a vast crevice. Ricki couldn't see anything in the inky blackness below the bridge. She had no idea how deep it was. Something told her that she really didn't want to find out.

Returning her gaze back to the entrance, she scanned the crowded steps for the woman. It wasn't hard to find the fair complexion and white-blonde hair among all the shadowy figures of black-haired and blue-skinned men and women surrounding her. She thought it was strange that only the woman appeared clearly defined. All the other figures held a ghostly appearance in contrast.

Ricki noticed that the woman appeared to be talking urgently to several of the men. She continued to stare at the woman, curious about who she was and why she was there. It wasn't until the woman turned sideways to argue with a tall, stately man that Ricki realized that the woman was very pregnant.

Ricki twisted back and forth as more figures hurried by her. She followed them as they rushed up to the small group on the steps. As she drew closer, she caught the hushed words between the woman and the man.

"Emera, it is too dangerous," the man insisted. "Let one of the others finish the task."

The woman shook her head. "You know that I am the only one who can seal the last door, my Emperor. It has to be checked," Emera replied with a tired smile. "You must convince your people to move to the underground cities before the creatures I warned you about come to your world. You must tell them the radiation outside is growing too dangerous for them to continue to live upon the surface. Please, the creatures destroyed the world of my father’s people, do not let them destroy yours as well."

The ghostly figure of the Emperor raised his hand and stroked Emera’s cheek. She turned her face into his hand and pressed a kiss to his palm. Ricki’s heart melted at the tender touch. She could feel the grief and helplessness of the couple.

“Go then,” he ordered in a hard voice. “Take two of the warriors with you. Seal the chamber and set the traps. The creatures must not be able to reach it. And Emera, be safe.”

“I will,” Emera whispered, pulling away. “Hurry, I fear there is not much time left.”

Ricki jerked as Emera and two men ran through her and back up the steps. She turned to follow, but felt as if she was falling. A low cry escaped her as the world around her spun dizzily in a circle of mist.

Flashes of images flooded her mind. It was as if she was trapped in the tapestry and going through the maze alongside Emera. Shadowy images rose up, solidified, then faded away again as the ancient Empress of Elipdios carefully guided the two men with her past the traps they encountered along the way.

Emera finally stumbled to a halt in front of a set of huge doors. Tears glistened in her eyes as she stared up at the intricately carved entrance. One of the men stepped forward and grabbed Emera when she started to collapse. After several seconds, she spoke quietly to the man and he reluctantly released her.

The two men stepped back several feet as Emera lifted her hands and placed them on the door. Amazement gripped Ricki as thin lines of frost moved up the beautiful black stone doors. The carving reminded Ricki of the one on the door to the office, only on a much larger scale. Ice crystals formed, outlining an image set in the very center. It was only when the ice touched the center that a set of circular forms detached from each other and began turning. As they did, the massive doors slowly opened.

“I need to see it one last time,” Emera whispered. “You must protect it from falling into the wrong hands. It has the power to save your people. The creatures will do everything they can, to get it back. You must not allow that to happen.”

The two shadowy guards nodded. Ricki turned her head to see what Emera was talking about, but the sounds of loud voices broke through her dream, pulling her back to consciousness. She fought to see inside the area before the doors sealed again, but the voices, combined with the sudden feeling of floating on a hard cloud, drew her too far to the surface.

“I’ll roast your balls and feed them to Katarina’s cats,” a very familiar voice threatened. “When I’m done with that, I’ll feed the rest of you to them.”

Ricki fought to open her eyes. Fear and confusion swamped her when the first thing she saw was Ristèard’s Blood-soaked face. Her hand rose and touched his chin, freezing when he suddenly stopped and looked down at her with worried eyes.

“Lay her on the couch,” a soft voice insisted. “I’ll take care of her while you teach him a lesson, Walter.”

“Mom,” Ricki whispered, blinking again to clear her vision. She turned her head and saw her mother standing by the couch. “What are you doing here?”

“I’ll tell you what we are doing here,” her father growled in a low, menacing voice. “We are taking you home before this… this criminal gets you killed, is what we are doing here.”

“She is not going anywhere,” Ristèard snapped as he carefully lowered Ricki onto the couch. “Emyr, check her over. Sadao, what happened? I warned you to keep her safe.”

Ricki’s head swiveled back and forth to the different people in the room. Ristèard, Andras, Emyr, and Harald looked like they had taken a bath in a slaughter house. She blinked when she saw Ajaska and Jazin’s friend, Jarmen, standing in the corner conversing with Marvin and Martin.

“No, Ricki. Just lay there, sweetheart, while I make sure you are alright,” her mom was saying in a soft, concerned voice when Ricki struggled to sit up. “How many fingers am I holding up?”

Ricki rolled her eyes. That was the first question her mom always asked, whether she had a cut, skinned knee, head cold, or the flu. Her mother was very good at many things, but medicine was not one of them.

“Two, mom,” Ricki replied impatiently as she slid her legs off the couch and sat up. “You always hold up two fingers.”

Nema patted Ricki on her knee. “You’ll be fine,” she sighed in relief.

Ricki’s eyes slid past everyone to the tapestry hanging on the wall behind the desk. It suddenly made complete sense. The map led them to the location of the entrance where the ‘treasure of Elipdios’ was hidden, but the tapestry told them how to get it. Rising off the couch, she ignored her mom and dad’s protests.

She moved forward, mesmerized by the information she was seeing. Her eyes roamed the maze, picking out the key symbols, translating them with what she already knew, and continued. She didn’t stop until she had reached the end of the labyrinth of corridors and the picture of Emera standing in front of the great doors that held the key to Elipdios’ salvation.

Strong arms wrapped around her when she swayed. Blinking, she looked up into Ristèard’s dark silver eyes with sudden understanding. She didn’t need to search the archives for the answers, they were right here. His ancestors had the answer to their salvation right in front of them all this time and didn’t even realize it.

Ricki’s eyes returned to the tapestry as the room became deathly quiet. She tilted her head as she stared at the figure of the woman in the center. A frown creased her brow as she tried to figure out the last piece to the puzzle.

Only those true of heart led by one born with Blood of ice can pass through the crystal doors.

Blood of ice,
she thought, slowly raising her hands up in front of her as she thought of Emera doing the same thing in her dream.

Loud gasps echoed through the room when frosty, icy crystals formed over her slender fingers, rising up to form spirals in the air before turning to mist.

“Who am I? What am I?” She asked in a small, whispered voice filled with fear and confusion. She turned to look at her parents with pleading eyes. “Mom, where did I come from?”

Later that evening, Ristèard watched Ricki from across the room, unable to pull his gaze away from her pale face. She smiled at her father when he reached over and took the empty plate she was holding, out of her hands. He had immediately ordered a meal for her, feeling a sense of remorse that he hadn’t thought of it earlier.

A part of him wanted to order everyone out of his office. Everyone, that is, but Ricki. A primitive part of him wanted to be alone with her and he resented having to share her attentions, even with her parents, which confused him even more.

“They are confusing, aren’t they?” Ajaska asked, holding out a glass of liquor.

Ristèard absently nodded as he took the offered drink. Downing it in one swallow, he held it out for more. He ignored Ajaska’s chuckle as the smart-ass Kassisan Ambassador poured more of the dark green liquid into his glass.

“Who is she?” Ristèard asked, raising the small chalice of potent liquor to his lips again.

“If I had to guess, I would say she is part Glacian. I’ve met their Ambassador a few times. Her eyes are the same color as his. Their star system just recently joined the Alliance council. They are a tough bunch of bastards. They are ruled by a Coalition with a group of directors. Ambassador Rime was recently appointed as a representative to the Alliance,” Ajaska commented, studying Ricki with a frown. “What I would like to know is how in the hell a Glacian ended up on Earth and no one knew about it.”

“Probably the same way the Kor d’lurs did,” Ristèard muttered, staring at where Marvin and Martin stood in silence. “I think they may know more than they are letting on.”

*.*.*

Ajaska looked at Ristèard in surprise before he turned his attention back to the two tall, silent men standing near the fireplace. They had refused to remain behind on Kassis when he had stated his plans to kidnap Ricki back. His first thought had been because they were so protective of Walter and Nema, now he wondered if it had more to do with Ricki.

He glanced over to where Jarmen was standing in front of the window looking down over the city, or appeared to be looking down over it. Jarmen was, in fact, hacking into Ristèard’s computer system. Taking a sip of his drink, Ajaska gazed to where Ricki was quietly talking to her parents. Nema sat next to her daughter, tightly holding Ricki’s slender hand in her smaller one.

“I should… Thank you for your assistance earlier,” Ristèard suddenly said, draining his drink after the unusual words.

“But,” Ajaska prompted.

Ristèard glanced at Ajaska’s amused face. “But, I want you to know that Ricki will not be returning to Kassis with you.”

Ajaska leaned back against the wall next to him and studied Ristèard. The man was not much older than Jazin. In many ways, he saw the same types of characteristics in Ristèard that he saw in his own sons.

He could see the pride, fierce determination, and the need to feel complete in the Grand Ruler that he saw in his sons before they found their mates. He reluctantly admitted, he felt the same way himself as the image of a dark-haired Russian beauty formed in his mind.

Ajaska doubted that Ristèard was even aware that every time he looked at Ricki, his face softened and his eyes lost the hard, cold distance or that his face softened with… love. The Grand Ruler of Elipdios was in love with the delicate half human/half Glacian woman he had kidnapped.

*.*.*

It was well after midnight by the time everyone finally called it a night. Ristèard had ordered one of the guards at the door to escort her and her parents to the living quarters where they would be staying. He assured them that those that remained in the palace were loyal only to him when her dad grumbled that he would prefer to return to Ajaska’s warship with her and her mom.

Ristèard had stubbornly refused her dad’s request. It wasn’t until he threatened to send her parents back alone, that her dad reluctantly agreed to spend one night here. Ricki knew her dad was just trying to be protective of her and her mom, but he also understood the importance of helping to save an entire planet of people.

The guard had shown her to one set of rooms while her parents had been given the quarters across the hallway. The quarters were elegantly decorated, but in a slightly masculine theme. The thick, black walls shimmered with the threads of gold, illuminating the large living area.

A long, plush black and gold couch and two matching chairs were placed before the fireplace. Just like in the office, it was large enough for her to stand in. A low fire burned in it, heating the room to a comfortable level. Her eyes tiredly swept over the room. So much had happened over the last few days that she felt like she had run a marathon.

Deciding her exploration of the rooms could wait until the next day when she wasn’t so exhausted, she decided to find the closest bed and crash. Turning on the woven carpet covering the polished black floors, she walked down the long hallway. She noticed that several of the doors were closed while one was left open.

Ricki paused in the entrance to the massive bedroom. In the center was a large bed. From the ceiling, thick curtains hung down around it. They were tied back at the moment and the covers of the bed were turned down, as if to invite a willing occupant to climb in and rest.

Her eyes lit on the long, blue nightgown and robe that were laid out across the foot of the bed. Relief washed through her. Crossing over to the bed, she picked up the beautiful, blue silk material. It actually shimmered in the low light of the room.

She glanced around again, looking to see if there was a bathroom in the room or if it was detached. A sigh of relief escaped her when she saw the lit room to the side. Deciding that a nice hot shower would definitely help her sleep, she grabbed the matching robe off the bed and disappeared into the bathroom.

A short time later, a clean and relaxed Ricki sat on the small bench, brushing her hair and thinking about everything that had happened earlier in the day. From what she had discovered, Ajaska, Jarmen, Marvin, Martin, and her parents had arrived just as the coup d'état started. Ajaska and Jarmen had heard the sound of fighting in the council room and burst through the doors.

Glancing at her hands, she set the brush she was using down on the vanity table in front of her. Lifting her right hand, she thought about what had happened earlier in Ristèard’s office. Focusing, she thought of Emera again and the ice coming from the ancient Empress’ hands.

A shiver escaped Ricki when she saw tiny crystals forming on the tips of her fingers. The more she concentrated, the more the ice formed until she had a small spear protruding from the ends. Her hand froze suddenly as the door behind her opened. A surprised gasp parted her lips when she saw Ristèard’s reflection in the mirror of the vanity. He silently stood in the doorway, staring back at her with an intensity that shook her.

“You shouldn’t be here,” she murmured in a husky voice, clenching her fist as the icy blade dissolved into a mist. She turned on the small seat until she was facing him. Rising from the padded bench, she self-consciously raised a hand to pull the robe close over the low neckline of the nightgown. “Is everything alright?”

Her worried eyes flashed over him. His hair was damp, as if he also had just showered, and he wore only a pair of soft pants that hung low on his hips. She tried not to stare at his body, but it was impossible with him wearing so little.

His body was like sculptured marble, smooth, taut, yet so soft looking that it made her want to run her hands over it. The blue color of his skin appeared to shimmer with silver, almost the way the black stone of the palace rippled with gold when she ran her fingers across it. A part of her wondered if she touched him, if the silver threads would dance across his skin.

She drew in a breath when he nodded and stepped into the room. Her body felt like someone had lit a torch inside it. She chided herself for thinking such outrageous thoughts when it was obvious he was exhausted and had probably just come to make sure she was alright after her earlier collapse. Giving herself a mental kick in the butt, she forced herself to focus on the reason he was there and not his body.

“As right as it can be at the moment,” he replied in a weary voice. “The council has been dissolved.”

“That tends to happen when you kill most of them,” she replied, dryly. “What are your plans now?”

“I have sent Harald and Emyr to take control of the zones until a replacement for each one can be made,” he said, pausing when he was just a few steps from her. “They may not be necessary if a solution isn’t found soon. Ajaska has assigned Jarmen to look at the current shields and see if anything can be done. He has also brought another supply of crystals.”

“What are you not telling me?” Ricki asked, tilting her head. “I can see it in your eyes. Something is wrong.”

“The crystals the Kassisans have are breaking down much faster than we anticipated,” he murmured. “There is no way they can keep up with the demand, even if they tripled their production.”

“Why? I thought the crystals were the same?” Ricki asked, confused.

“So did we, until further analysis,” Ristèard admitted. “They are close, but the oxide materials are slightly different. The metal is unlike anything we have seen before, and not found naturally on either planet.”

“Alien,” Ricki murmured, thinking of the vault in her dream. “Emera said she wanted to see it one more time.”

“Emera?” Ristèard asked, puzzled.

Ricki released a nervous chuckle and tucked her hair behind her ear. “When I was unconscious, I was dreaming about Emera,” she confessed. “I swore it felt like I was there. Star had a similar dream. I know I just fainted due to low Blood sugar, but everything seemed so real. Emera went to the maze that was on the tapestry hanging on the wall. At the end of it is a set of huge doors with the same engravings that are on the door to your office, but on a much larger scale. I think your ancestors knew that the best place to keep the key to the maze was right in front of everyone.”

“What was in the vault?” Ristèard asked with a frown. “Is it the Blood Stones?”

Ricki shook her head in regret. “I don’t know,” she whispered. “Like most dreams, I woke up before I could see what was inside. In the morning, I want to take a closer look at both the tapestry and the doors,” she added. “I think that is where we might find the answers you are seeking.”

Ristèard stared down into her eyes, losing himself in them. He followed her slender fingers as she tucked her hair behind her ear again. Reaching out, he touched the silky, white-gold strands. Unable to resist, he slid his fingers through the silky waves until he cupped the back of her head, pulling her gently toward him.

“Ristèard,” she whispered, sliding her hands up between them.

He paused, but didn’t let her go. “One kiss,” he murmured. “I want to know.”

Ricki’s eyes darkened at the deep, rough emotion in his voice. “What do you want to know?” She asked, relaxing her hands and splaying her fingers across his bare chest.

“If the fire is still there,” he whispered before he captured her lips with his.

Ricki could have told him the fire was not only there, it was bloody out of control whenever he touched her. The cool façade she tried to hide behind evaporated just like the ice from her fingers.

For once, she didn’t even think about analyzing the kiss. She didn’t think about whether the man kissing her would be a good fit for her. All she could think of was how great it felt and the feel of his hands on her body.

A long sigh escaped her when he continued to kiss her. Sliding her hands up his chest, she wound them around his neck so she could press herself closer. She didn’t understand why, but everything about this felt… right.

She moaned when he broke the kiss to run his lips down along her jaw to her throat. Tilting her head to the side, she shivered at the warm, moist touch of his lips against her sensitive skin. Her right hand curled around the back of his head, pressing him closer to her.

“Don’t stop,” she demanded in a husky whisper.

His low growl against her neck and the feel of his arms tightening around her was her answer. Ricki ran her left hand down over his shoulder, caressing his taut skin. It felt hot to her touch. She was shocked when a low cry of frustration escaped her when he pulled back.

“Say yes, Ricki,” Ristèard demanded.

Ricki turned dazed eyes to him. “Yes to what?” She asked in a husky voice.

“Yes, to us,” Ristèard said, slipping his hand up to cup her breast. “I need you tonight.”

Rational thought nudged at Ricki, but she pushed it away. She was tired of always being rational, logical, calm, and in control. For one night, she wanted to be wild and free. Raising a trembling hand to touch his cheek, she pushed away the doubt. They were both adults. One night. One night, because she had no idea what would happen after it.

“Yes,” she whispered, staring up into his eyes.