Authors: P.L. Parker

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The Chalice (50 page)

BOOK: The Chalice

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coaxed, adding a soft kiss for encouragement. “It’s a simple matter.”

For a long moment, Jaegar remained grim and unmoving but the set lipseased, the tensed arm s relaxed. Breathing a sigh of disgust, his fingers flew overthe sy-com controls. The view screen bleeped. Vaux’s image appeared.

“Find the Chalice Anne, Handmaiden to Queen Kara, and put her on.”

Vaux’s curious expression dissolved, became guarded. “She’s here on the

bridge. What do you require of her?”

“Just put her on,” Kara snapped. “Now!”

“Put her on,” Tegan said.

The Vaux im age turned, speaking over his shoulder. W ithin seconds, the

female called Anne appeared.

From her wary and hesitant attitude, she was ill at ease at being singled out.

She stared into the screen. “Hello,” she said. “This is Anne.”

“Anne,” Kara began. “Queen Kara here. Raise your right hand.”

Uncertain and confused, the handmaiden’s dainty hand rose up.

Kara also raised her hand. “Now repeat after me. I Anne…”

“I Anne…”

“Hereby accept the title of acting Regent,”

“W ha…?”

“Just say it!”

“Hereby accept the title of acting Regent—what are you doing?” Anne’s

expressive face flashed from wary to full alarm .

“…to have and to hold from this day forward.”

“Kara! For God’s sake what are you doing?”

“I’m making you acting Regent. W hat does it look like I’m doing?”

“W hy?”

“Because I’m going with Tegan.” She glanced over her shoulder, offering him a

trem ulous sm ile filled with love and hope.

Anne’s im age drew a deep breath and then sm iled. “To have and to hold from

this day forward.”

“’Til death us do part. Am en,” Kara finished.

Anne laughed out loud. “’Til death us do part. Amen.” She added, “I hope you

know what you’re doing.”

“I do. Just act as Regent until I get back, then we’ll work on the future. By the way, Dread’s going with m e.” She grinned, a sassy self-satisfied smirk. “I do need at least one handmaiden to accompany m e.”

Anne dipped her head, regally acknowledging assum ption of com m and. “As you

wish, m y Queen. Your subjects will be so advised.”

Tegan’s dwindling resolve melted. His Chalice was giving up her life to followhim —into the mouth of the beast if need be. Surrendering her queenship was anunexpected development. Courageous and hum bling. If the reverse were true,would he do the same? I think not! Pride for his Chalice flooded over him .

Mordaq’s huge form burst into the chamber. Long braids flew as he sped

forward, snapping on his weapons in his haste.

“Pardon my lateness,” he apologized appearing sad and distraught. “I wanted

my Hanna settled before I joined you.”

Tegan gazed at his long-time friend as a well of emotion roiled to the surface. Best friends and brothers in arms. The huge Warrior had been chosen by hisfather before they’d even left the nursery, taking an oath to forego everyday

needs and desires to be in service as his lifelong protector. Too [may/ m any] revolutions had Mordaq been denied what was his due and his right. A troublesom e matter which needed correcting.

“W hy are you here?”

Mordaq’s face registered shocked surprise. “I’m your bodyguard as I have

always been.”

How to phrase this without offending him? “I can’t let you leave when your Chalice needs you so desperately right now. The loss of your child is a burden youboth should share. The pain will be better eased with you by her side.” He smiled,clapping the Warrior on the shoulder. “Stay with Hanna and make m ore babies. Name the first after m e.”

“Let’s hope it’s a m ale,” Kara said dryly.

“But…but I have always been your protector,” Mordaq stammered, appalled.

“And your friend.”

“A m illion lifetimes could pass and nothing would change that. Of that I am sure. But Hanna needs you and I’m sure Jaegar’s people could use your experience and instincts on Faelos. You need not worry. Shagal travels with me.”

“Pah!” Mordaq spat out. “He’s not a Warrior— he’s an artisan! You need m e.”

Jaegar added his voice to the disagreement. “I won’t let anything happen tohim,” he laughed. “If it will ease your m ind, I’ll be his personal bodyguard until wereturn.”

“He’s very good,” Bi’ertise said, caressing her lover’s back. “Maybe not so good

as you, but a worthy opponent all the same.”

Mordaq looked uncertain, a sure sign he was weakening. “Would you give your

life for Lord Tegan?” It was more a demand than a question.

“I would,” was Jaegar’s solem n reply. “I could do no less.”

“There,” Tegan chuckled, clapping his hands together. “The matter is settled. I

have my bodyguard and you need to run for the transport before it departs.”

“Is this your wish?”

“It is old friend. Now go before it’s too late. Give Hanna my love.”

“Run Little Eva,” Kara chirped her face a mask of innocence.

Mordaq gave her an odd look before clasping Tegan in a crushing hug. “Do not

hesitate to send for me if the need arises.”

“Never,” Tegan agreed, shoving him towards the door. “Be at peace and live

for the future.”

The Warrior sm iled then turned and ran out the door heading to his Hanna and

home.

“So,” Kara grum ped. “You want everyone else to be happy and content, so why not us? Can’t you ignore the fact for a moment that you’re the ruler and think of us for a change? I have a right to my own destiny and I believe with everything I am that my destiny is with you.” The full lips quivered. “Do I stay or do I go?”

“I say you go,” Jaegar snarled, jerking back as Bi’ertise pinched.

“Nobody asked you,” she snapped back.

A life with Kara. A wish fulfilled. The dream had come full circle and who washe to destroy that dream, even for himself? She was right. He did want everyoneto be happy. Life was for the living and each m oment precious. The agoniessuffered by his people would always be with him , but this little human femaleeased the pain. She was his reason for living.

He drew a breath before cupping her face in his hands. “Stay with m e,” he

whispered against her lips. “W ithout you I’m lost.”

“About time you figured it out,” she murmured.

He grinned, nuzzling her m outh, licking and tasting letting his passion soar. “Ican’t prom ise our life won’t be filled with adversity but I can prom ise life will bean adventure.”

“Just so we’re together.” She answered, twining slender arms around his neck.

“We are,” he said, “now and forever.”

The End

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