Aric watched his surroundings with the air of a man that hadn't a care in the world. In reality - he was aware of every stare and every glance in his direction. Before he had disembarked from the spacecraft, he had used a spell to alter both Elena's and his appearances. He was hoping that no one would recognize him as the illegitimate son of the late King. He had chosen to disembark in Areseric, since it was his home territory. He knew almost every inch of land that he had hoped one day to rule.
He had warned Deanna about bonding with that powerless man. She deserved to have someone that fulfilled her every need. Even though they were related, he had always wanted to have a piece of her delicious little ass. The only thing that had kept him from taking her was that bastard Charles. Even for a
Vindexicis
warrior that had denied his natural powers, the man had been incredibly hard to kill or control. Deanna barely managed to control him until the day when Gracie had stripped her of her power.
That's when he decided that she was of no use to him. He had waited until they were 'preoccupied' before sneaking into their bedroom. He had watched dispassionately as they made love on the four-poster bed that should have been his. He took out the Earthling pistol that he had bought illegally. He waited until it was obvious that the couple were on the verge of climaxing before pulling the trigger. His aim had been true and the bullet had entered his half sister and killed her. Her death should have pulled the
Vindexicis
warrior to his death. It appealed to his unique sense of humor that while the couple was coming - they were actually leaving this plane of existence.
He had never expected Charles to survive. When the maid did find the bodies, he had acted as was expected and ran down the hall too, anticipating seeing them both dead, wrapped in a lover's embrace. To his disbelief, Deanna was arranged on her back with the sheet pulled up to preserve her modesty and Charles was nowhere to be found. He had found a bloody washcloth in the sink in their private bath. It was the only clue that Charles had left behind.
From his spies that he had scattered about in the High King's court, he had been notified when the disheveled Charles had arrived at the palace asking for asylum. But then he would have been surprised if the warrior had not. If anything Charles was not a stupid man.
He was dragged out of these thoughts when Elena's hand tugged on his elbow. He turned and looked down at her.
"Aric, I don't feel safe standing here. Let's find some lodgings." Elena looked around warily.
"Relax, sweetheart. Nothing will hurt you. I know this is the first time that you been in Venus," he soothed as he led her over to one of the shops that catered to tourists. * * * * * * * Jonathan looked over at Patience. She was sitting erect on her zephti staring off into the distance. She was keeping up rather well all considering. They were in the middle of the Areseric desert, on their way to join Rand and Gracie for the upcoming nuptials of Kat and Charlie at the Renewal Festival. He had been in contact with Rand, and they were both thrilled that Gracie and their children were well after the unexpected delivery. This wizard, Philip, had a lot to answer for. Jonathan was damn near as protective of Gracie as Rand was. They were the original three stooges of Venus. Where one was the other two weren't far behind. He knew that they all had driven the royal family crazy with their adventures and their numerous "midadventures" too.
"It's almost time to stop for the night, Pati. Just another hour and we'll be at the river that Rand told me about. We'll bunk down there. Then we're only a few days out from the capitol."
"I know. I'm fine, Jonathan. Quit worrying. I'm pregnant - not dying," she scolded him as she kicked her zephti into a faster clip.
"Patience!" he growled. Her laughter floated back taunting him, daring him to catch her.
With pleasure, you little minx!
he promised her.
* * * * * * *
Kat pulled out of Charlie's arms. She stood beside the satin pillows of the huge bed where he still slept. Since their journey in the desert, she had not seen her chosen sleeping. He still possessed the same rugged features and physique but they were more relaxed. The intensity of his personality was muted during slumber. Sighing, she slipped her slippers back on. As much as she longed to stay with him, she had many things to accomplish back at the clinic. And for once here on Venus - she was going to use her gift for good.
While attending ITS she had been called time and time again to the clinic to heal students that had been punished by the headmistress. She felt that because she had such a gift, the headmistress had no reason not to beat the students. She had Kat to heal them anytime that she got overzealous with the crop, belt or what ever instrument that she choose to punish her charges with. Unlike Kat, who's mother never visited her, many of the students had parents and relatives that visited quite often and kept in contact with them. It wouldn't do to have the abused student able to show their families proof of the abuse. The state would have surely shut ITS down if they realized and been able to prove the abuse that went on behind the walls.
Shaking her head, she tried to push the painful memories away as she slipped out of the solar. As soon as she shut the door behind her, Charlie opened his eyes. The wave of pain that radiated off his chosen had awakened him. There was much still so mystery about her. He had read her file but it contained nothing of her years inside of ITS. It gave a brief run down of her grades and her graduation date but nothing else. He had a feeling that there were things that occurred inside ITS that had forever changed his little Kat.
He rolled to his feet as a knock sounded on his door.
"Come in," he called as he buttoned the silk shirt that had come undone in his earlier wrestling match with Kat.
Stephan stuck his head in before he entered the room.
"I hate to disturb you but I need to get your approval to have one of the royal space crafts to leave Venusian space."
"Where's its' destination?" Charlie walked over to his desk before flopping in the chair behind it.
"Earth. I told Kat's grandfather that I would send a spacecraft for him."
"Kat's granddad?" Charlie paused before he pulled Kat's file and opened it.
"Yes. I contacted him to attend your bonding. It is customary to have a family member present. Normally it is the father that gives the witch or healer away. But there is no known record of who Kat's father is."
"Do you have the paperwork with you?" Charles asked.
"Of course." Stephan handed the paperwork to him. Charlie glanced it over rapidly before signing it and handing it back.
"Will he be here in time?"
"Yes. He should arrive the day before the ceremony."
"Good. Have him come see me when he lands. I am anxious to speak to him about Kat."
* * * * * * *
Philip followed Rand and Gracie, cradling the small little girl against his chest. He had been surprised that when they had placed their daughter in his arms. The little girl stared up at him with her beautiful blue eyes and cooed at him. His heart squeezed in response. It had been many years since he had held such a small bundle. He tried to bury the need beneath his anger at losing the crown. But it still lurked under all the hurt and fury. He smiled down at the little girl. She waved a tiny fist at him. He gently tucked it back in the blanket. She immediately freed it once more.
