Terra hurried across the courtyard to her mother's suite. She pressed the access button and waited for someone to let her in. She was late and she seriously doubted they waited for her before beginning.
The evening had started off well. She and Maximillian had an early dinner before going to a museum event. His father appreciated art and was a supporter, therefore Maximillian was expected to be there as well. As the night wore on, Terra kept looking for a chronometer to keep track of the time. When she finally found one, she was surprised by how late it had gotten. When she tried to take her leave of Maximillian, he had been surprised that she was leaving early. Although she had mentioned she needed to visit her mother, Maximillian did not think it meant Terra was cutting their date short. When Terra insisted that she would be fine leaving by herself so he could remain, Maximillian had insisted she let him escort her mother's home.
Due to her lack of honesty on that front, she still had not told Maximillian that she lived in the palace and her mother was married to Tyr Anasazi. Instead, Terra had given him directions to the building Lex had lived in when she and Kindred first met her years ago. The transport took them there, where Terra got out of the transport and tried to say good night at the transport door. Maximillian insisted on walking her in. Luckily for Terra, the exterior entrance to the lobby was not secure like the inner door so she and Maximillian were able to step inside. He had offered to escort her to her mother's door but Terra declined. He suggested that it was time he met her family. Terra had agreed that it was probably time but tonight was not that night. She had distracted him with a rather intense good night kiss then sent him on his way. Once his transport was out of sight, Terra had to summon a new transport to return her to the palace.
In the last few days, the grip of winter had loosened its hold on Aeolian and the surrounding area that included the main palace of the Nietzschean Emperor. The days were much warmer and the nights, although still cool, were much more pleasant. As Terra stood waiting for someone to open the door, she looked up into the clear night sky. Pinpricks of light filled the night sky which was devoid of a moon this evening. It would not be long before they could venture outside once more. Terra missed the nights of lounging in the courtyard and taking long leisurely swims. She also missed the time together as family as they often shared in the courtyard.
In the months when the courtyard was the hub of activity, Terra encountered Tamerlane much more often when he was with his father or leaving his children with Beka and Tyr. It was the place, where just for a few moments, Terra and Tamerlane could connect. Without those encounters, and chance encounters while strolling in the garden or going to the gazebo, Terra had very little contact with Tamerlane. It was just easier and a lot less suspicious that way. As the cold months had advanced on the palace, Terra had started dropping in on her mom more and more often in the hopes of encountering Tamerlane. After a few weeks, Terra could tell that her mother was becoming suspicious of Terra random visits for no reason at all. Especially when Terra did not stay around if Tamerlane was not there.
"Hey honey," Beka's voice greet Terra when the door slid open.
"Hey mom," Terra hugged her mom and gave her a swift kiss on the cheek as she stepped into their suite. "Sorry I'm late."
"Better late than never," Beka gestured for Terra to head toward the kitchen area. "Did you have a nice evening?"
"It was nice," Terra replied as she followed Beka into the kitchen.
"We are in the earliest stages of planning," Beka replied as she looked back over her shoulder at her daughter. For now, Terra seemed upbeat and positive whenever Beka talked to her. Beka knew Terra was dating multiple men. However, this one seemed to make her beam the most after their dates. "If you preferred to remain on your date, all you needed to do was tell me. I could have updated you tomorrow."
"I told you I would be here. I always have a great time with Maximillian. He understood that I needed to visit with you tonight. He's wonderful ...," Terra words trailed off when she rounded the corner to the kitchen area. Her heartbeat jumped for an instant when she saw Tamerlane leaning back against one of the counters. Her mother had not mention Tamerlane would be joining them for the evening. If she had, Terra would have made a better effort to be there on time.
Kindred and Lex were seated on stools on one side of the kitchen's island counter. Tyr was seated on another with an empty stool beside him. Beka walked over and took a seat on the stool next to Tyr.
"Hey sis," Kindred looked up when Terra walked over to him. She put her arm around his shoulders and gave it a squeeze. "I was beginning to think you forgot about us."
"I was at a museum event in Aeolian. I lost track of time. I got here as soon as I could," Terra apologized as she looked at the materials scattered over the counter. The group had gathered to discuss the preparations that needed to be made for Kindred and Lex's wedding. They had finally decided to have it at Tamerlane's palace in Alatopah. Or at least that was where Terra thought they were going to have it.
"You have been spending a great deal of time with … Max," Beka offered in as nonchalant of a tone as she could muster. "Perhaps it's time we all meet him."
"Max is a pretentious prick," Kindred remarked as he picked up one of the flexis in front of him. He and Lex had bumped into Terra while she was with Maximillian at a social function for the museum. Terra had quickly introduced them as 'Kindred and Lex', friends of hers. Kindred had picked up on Terra's vibe quickly and went along with her charade. When he had asked her about it, Terra told him not to concern himself with her private life. It was obvious to Kindred that Terra did not want Maximillian to know who she was. It had Kindred wondering if his sister was as innocent these days as she let pretended. He had to wonder if she had some kind of con going on with Maximillian as her mark. "I don't get it myself. He thinks he is so damn great just because his father is the representative from the Obmoloc sector and he lives in a highfalutin annex on the palace grounds."
He gestured in Terra's direction as she moved over to the same counter where Tamerlane was leaning. She glanced up at him before leaning back against the counter a few feet from him. It was kind of awkward seeing him right after ending her date with Maximillian. It was also odd because things were left up in the air when she had left him in his office a few short weeks ago. She wondered if her decision to return to her date and the 'rejection' of Tamerlane's advance may have soured their relationship at the moment. Terra understood just how important the acceptance of a female was to a Nietzschean male. However, Terra was uncertain if Tamerlane concerned himself with actually having to impress or attract females since he was the Emperor if the Nietzschean and was probably desired by every female in the empire, young and old alike. Terra was also not a Nietzschean female so she doubted her acceptance or rebuff of him affected him the same as a Nietzschean female.
"Ter won't tell him we are part of the 'royal family'. Or that we actually live in the freaking palace," Kindred shook his head. "I could hardly stand to be around him when we bumped into them at the museum event last week. After about twenty minutes of him treating us like low level riffraff, I wanted to punch him in his snobbish nose. Or at least remind him he is just an aide. His dad's the freakin' rep."
"You are no part of any royal family," Tamerlane shook his head as he looked over at Kindred dismissively. "And the only reason you reside in the palace is because your mother married my father."
"Not yet," Kindred smirked as he leaned over and gave Lex a kiss on the cheek. "Pretty soon, much to my displeasure, we will be brothers."
"You will never be my brother," Tamerlane gave Kindred a hard look. "If I find you are claiming such, my sister will quickly become single once more."
"Love you too, big brother," Kindred needled Tamerlane and received a harsh scowl in return.
"Maximillian will be the next Obmoloc representative on Arktos," Terra was surprised when she found herself defending him. Maximillian certainly put on airs, especially with those 'less fortunate' than him.
"Whatever," Kindred rolled his eyes. "That's another thing … he's Maximillian … not just Max. Ostentatious, I tell ya. You could do a whole lot better, sis."
"Although such positions as representative to Arktos, Obmoloc sector leader and such are newly created since the Empire was formed, if the political atmosphere of the systems in the Obmoloc sector remains as it has been for the last two centuries, Maximillian will be the next representative to Arktos," Tamerlane added to the conversation.
"See," Terra gestured to Kindred. "He's not just full of shite."
"Only because in the culture of many of those worlds in that sector, titles such as those are handed down from father to son. Unless another system or family contests, the grandfather will most likely pass on his title as sector leader to Maximillian's father," Tamerlane smirked a little when Kindred snickered. "Maximillian will inherit the title from his father."
"Nepotism at its best," Kindred scoffed as he looked over at Terra. "You don't have to know a damn thing to lead a sector. Using brotherly succession …I could be running this Nietzschean Empire one day."
"Can you just shut up about Maximillian," Terra snapped as she pointed to the table. She didn't need Kindred needling her about Maximillian. And she certainly did not need Tamerlane Anasazi evaluating and critiquing her dates. "And get back to whatever you were doing?"
"We were actually about to finish up," Lex smiled at Terra before offering her a flexi. Terra stepped forward to retrieve it. She turned it on to find a short list. "All that is left to discuss is if you will take part in the wedding itself. If so, that is a list of your duties and responsibilities."
"I can do this," Terra nodded as she glanced at the list. It was pretty much helping Lex out with whatever she needed, throwing a couple of parties and buying a dress.
"I know I am asking a great deal of you, Tamerlane," Lex looked at Tamerlane next.
"The palace at Alatopah and the grounds will be ready for your scheduled list of events for that weekend. The main palace will be opened to your guest. There are forty bedrooms on the lower floors. The upper floor has an additional six suites excluding my suite. My wives and children will not be attending the event therefore all six suites will be available. However, I would prefer no one other than family be permitted on the upper floor. Two additional buildings will be opened for housing any other overnight guests. I believe those buildings contain 50 units each. Staff will have access to the other housing unit for the weekend. Any additional guests will be housed at several vacation locations located outside Alatopah proper. Ashan had already made arrangements with the proprietors of the businesses to secure four full locations for the weekend. Your guests will be shuttled back and forth to the palace as needed. Security will be available at all sites," Tamerlane picked up the flexi on the counter beside him. "The culinary staff from here will see to staffing at Alatopah. You and Beka can figure out the menus with the executive chef, the head pâtissier and the head sommelier. I will have them instructed to be available to you when you are ready to meet with them. I would prefer all of your guests go through security here, be staged for transport then take a palace transport to Alatopah. I will instruct the head of transportation to make certain there is a smooth flow of transports departing to and from the palace throughout the weekend of your event. It will lessen security concerns and delays due to inspections. If you provide a complete list of your guests, all clearances can be completed before the weekend of your ceremony."
"That is a pretty hefty list," Kindred raised his eyebrows as he looked at Tamerlane. "Sure you can get it all done?"
"I have staff," Tamerlane shook his head with the slightest roll of his eyes. "Concern yourself with your list. I will handle mine."
"I have to get a ring, get a suit," Kindred tapped the flexi before him. "And have one outrageous bachelor party."
"And get to the ceremony on time and not hung over, big brother," Terra offered with a laugh.
"That is why I am having the bachelor party two nights before," Kindred tapped the side of his head.
"Your brilliance is boggling," Terra replied sarcastically before focusing on Lex. "Are you the least bit concerned that this … large wedding … and all of the lavishness of the palace and all that … might cause some to wonder … just why Emperor Anasazi … is going to such great lengths … for the daughter of his children's head governess?"
"Kindred Hawkins is the son of my wife," Tyr spoke up before Lex had to answer. "That is reason enough for myself and the palace to be involved. Tamerlane and I would prefer to keep the entire event as low profile as possible. That will depend on the discretion of all of those involved in the putting on the event itself and those invited to the event. From a professional perspective, all those working for the palace have been vetted and are bound by certain legal formalities to ensure their silence concerning palace events. The palace has little control over those you may choose to invite to the event who do not have a relationship with the palace. Should Alexandra wish to reveal more concerning her connection to myself and Tamerlane, we can discuss it. However, such revelations will not be necessary for the wedding to take place as planned."
"Sounds like you have it all covered," Beka looked pleased with Tamerlane evaluation and command of the situation.
"Unless there is anything else we need to discuss," Beka looked over at Kindred and Lex. Both shook their heads. "We should get together again in a week to see how everything is progressing. We also need to take the ceremony coordinator to Alatopah so the actual ceremony site can be selected and a plan created from that."
"When the palace is opened and the grounds readied, I will arrange transport to Alatopah for whoever needs access to the location," Tamerlane informed Beka as he tapped on his flexi and made more notes.
"You know," Kindred pointed at Tamerlane. "If you aren't using the palaces, we could probably make a mint off renting them out for weddings. Hell, we could even plan and execute the entire event for the right price."
"Thank you all for coming this evening," Lex looked around at them as she got to her feet. "I am going to take him home before he says the wrong thing and my brother decides I am better off without him."
"You are," Tamerlane replied as he looked between Lex and Kindred.
"Love you too, big brother," Kindred quipped lightly as he grabbed his flexi and got to his feet. He leaned over and gave Beka a quick kiss on the cheek.
"If I had known this was all we needed you for, I could have just given you the flexi when you got home in the morning," Kindred looked over at Terra. "It's not too late … I'm sure Max would be pleasantly surprised if you showed up at his home this evening."
"You're just trying to get rid of me for the night," Terra shook her head as Kindred headed toward the door. "I'll be the biggest pain in the ass I can for the rest of your night … thank you very much."
"I'm headed to bed," Kindred called back to her as Lex pulled him out the door.
"If there is anything else you need me to do, just ask," Terra told Beka as she hugged her mom. She started toward the door.
"I'm sure there will be plenty of little things as we go along," Beka looked over at Tyr.
"No plan of battle ever survives the first engagement," Tyr replied as he put his arm around Beka and gave her shoulders a squeeze. Tamerlane scoffed softly.
"What's so funny?" Terra asked as she looked over at him.
"My father compares everything to a battle plan," Tamerlane looked over at Tyr with a smile. "From a child's first steps to a wedding to actual battle."
"I am pleased you are assisting your sister in this endeavor," Tyr replied as Tamerlane started to move toward the door.
"If this is what she wants, I will do all that I can to ensure the day is all she desires it to be," Tamerlane held up the flexi. "I rule an empire with thousands of worlds. I think I can handle wedding arrangements."
"We will see," Beka smiled as she and Tyr got to their feet.
"Good night mom," Terra said as she paused at the doorway until Tamerlane got there.
"Good night baby," Beka gave Terra a wave before wrapping her arm around Tyr's waist.
"I will see you in the gym at 0430," Tamerlane called back over his shoulder to Tyr.
"I will be there," Tyr called after Tamerlane before he and Terra disappeared out the door.
"0430?" Beka looked up at Tyr.
"Tamerlane suggested I join him for a few work outs before the wedding," Tyr shrugged slightly. "I believe he thinks I am getting soft."
"Perhaps he just misses spending time with his father," Beka offered before leaning up to kiss him.