Imperial Palace, Calabria
This was supposed to be a joyous occasion. Not only had the last four of Apolo's daughters been joined in marriage to the eager young men from Teralon, but her father had also announced Shamara's betrothal to Avar, called The Loyal, by his people. Shamara felt miserable although she smiled through the banquet as she sat beside Avar. She noticed that her sister, Chaela, was pouting also. Shamara had heard that she argued with their father that day, but Shamara didn't know why. The emperor was planning to send a delegation to the human Cinq Kingdom to negotiate Chaela's marriage to their heir. Shamara hadn't had a chance to discuss it with her sister because Chaela always seemed to have a reason not to spend any private time with Shamara. Shamara was hurt that Chaela no longer wished to confide in her.
"In ten passings of the second sun, it will be our time to celebrate," the young man at her side whispered in her ear. "Are you as eager as I?"
Shamara turned to look at Avar. He was a handsome young man, with dark hair and blue eyes, and he was very polite and respectful. She had caught a glimpse of him practicing with his sword with her brother and Taeron, and he was very skilled. He was a man who could protect her, if need be. Her father seemed to think so. Duo didn't voice any objection he might have.
When she arrived back on Calabria, it was to be greeted by at least two dozen suitors who wished to make lasting connections to the Calabrian Empire. After spending what seemed to be hours in discussion with Duo and her mother, her father finally told her that he had already made arrangements for her to wed the heir of Teralon.
"He is strong enough to defend his suit," Trey explained to her.
Her father proved to be right when Avar promptly defeated three other men in duel to earn the honor of her hand.
Her mother had introduced her to Avar on her third day back from Mars Colony. Waiting in the garden with Chaela, when she arrived, Avar dropped to his knee before her, flattered her, and proclaimed his good fortune at gaining such a beautiful woman to be his wife. Although he made a favorable impression, Shamara examined him suspiciously, wondering about his feathers, but he didn't seem to have any. She learned later from Chaela that he had wings which would appear only when he willed them, and usually only in battle situations. Shamara hadn't seen them yet; Chaela had.
Now Shamara watched her sister pick at her food and ignore the pleasant young prince from Varoonya, a planet even more distant than Teralon. She wasn't paying any attention to her surroundings, and none of the food made it from the plate to her mouth. Chaela should learn to be less rebellious, thought Shamara. Their father knew what was right for them all. Shamara would never question his judgment or disobey him.
Beside her Avar had fallen quiet after his initial attempt at conversation. Shamara wasn't all that interested in talking of their marriage. It would happen when it was ordained, and she would make her father's house proud by being an obedient wife.
After the meal concluded, musicians began to play music, and Avar lead Shamara through a dance, joining the newly wedded women of Apolo's house and their new mates. Although Apolo was glad to see the last of his daughters married, Shamara sensed uneasiness in him also. She realized the source when she watched him closely and saw that he kept looking amongst the women attending and directing his covert attention to Larya, Taeron's mother. Larya was attending with Lord Duo as her escort. In the week that he had been back, Duo had made a public acceptance of Taeron as his son. He could often be heard bragging about his abilities. Larya, of course, couldn't be happier. Trey had already dropped several hints that there would soon be a merger of two governments as well as two houses. What did that mean for Apolo? He couldn't possibly single out one woman when many clamored for his attention! And certainly not the disreputable Larya.
Shamara couldn't believe that Duo would marry Larya, or vice versa! Larya enjoyed the fact that her son was acknowledged as the heir of the man closest to the emperor. She would not have been allowed in the palace in the presence of the emperor himself without Duo's sponsorship and promise that the mother of his son would cause no trouble. Larya made no secret of the fact that she had used Lord Duo in her rise to the governorship of the first moon. Duo didn't seem to mind. He had a son of which he could be very proud to show for it. As for Duo, Shamara knew he was and always would be in love with Trynity Nelson. In a few days he would be returning his daughter to L12 as she requested so that she could get back to work. Shamara felt certain that Duo would return to Mars Colony. Trey had already appointed Amyr to take over the government on the second moon in Duo's absence. Apparently he suspected Duo would be gone for more than a few days. Courtship of the stubborn human healer would probably take decades!
After dancing with Avar, Shamara noticed that Chaela had quickly slipped out of the palace through the garden doors. Shamara did not enjoy this celebration, so while Avar danced with one of her younger sisters, Shamara left the hall and followed Chaela. Chaela quickly put great distance between her and the hall so that the music was so faint that Shamara could barely heard it. Then Chaela collapsed to her knees and burst into tears.
Although she knew that Chaela had wanted privacy, Shamara did not want to see her suffer. She went to her and put her arm around her. Chaela immediately stiffened and shoved her away. "What are you doing here?"
"I saw you leave, and I was concerned," Shamara told her gently.
"I don't need your help." Chaela wiped away her tears quickly.
Shamara decided that this might be the time for some sisterly advice. "If this is about the marriage papa is arranging with the humans, you should be respectful of his decision and abide by it."
Chaela glared at her. "I don't want to abide by it! I don't want to marry a man I do not know."
"Papa is a good judge of character," argued Shamara. "He knows these humans, has lived amongst them. You must do your duty, Chaela, as I do mine."
"I don't' want to be like you! I could never marry a man that I do not love."
"Love? Don't be silly! We do not have the luxury of falling in love." Yet as she said the words, Shamara felt a squeezing of her heart. Although she saw proof of love every day between her mother and father, and she easily read it in others, she realized that she was not sure how she would feel if she were in love.
"What is the matter, sister? Do you not have a response? Do you even understand?"
Shamara shrugged. "I believe that love is a rare gift from the gods. We do not all receive it, nor should we expect to."
"I have received it," Chaela told her. "There is one that I love, and now I must watch as he weds another."
"Chaela!"
Shamara spun around as Avar came upon them. His eyes were only for her sister. "I do not dare to hope that your feelings are for me," he said softly as he knelt before her.
Shamara thought about reminding him that they were engaged to be married, but instead she stepped back as Chaela reached a hand to him, and Avar pulled it to his lips to cover with kisses. Then they melted into each other's arms and shared a kiss that made Shamara turn away blushing.
"We can run away!" cried Chaela. "We can go somewhere my father will never find us!"
Shamara rolled her eyes. Her sister was far too romantic, and besides, she doubted Chaela and Avar would be able to clear orbit before they were hunted down. She turned around. "Chaela, this is madness. You cannot hope to succeed, and even if you did, you would bring great dishonor on our house."
"I don't care!" she cried angrily.
"I care," said Avar softly as he drew her close. "I could not bear to hear the names you would be called, my sweet. And I have a duty to my own people. Would you have me dishonor myself by breaking the vow I have taken to marry Shamara?"
"This is your fault!" accused Chaela, glaring at Shamara.
"I agree," said Avar before Shamara could say anything. "I was certain you would return from the human system with Dagan! I would not have opened my heart to Chaela had I thought differently. Now she is locked inside and I must marry you."
Shamara opened her mouth to speak, but Chaela interrupted. "I overheard Lord Duo tell our father that Dagan is still alive, that you rejected him! How could you do such a thing?"
"Dagan is alive?" Avar's expression brightened. "Then we have a solution to this problem."
"Stop!" cried Shamara before they could continue planning how to get her out of the way. She hoped they would stop short of murder. "I do not wish to marry Dagan."
"But you must!" cried Chaela.
"I will not marry him. He wants another woman."
"What??" Chaela would have thrown herself at Shamara with fists raised if Avar hadn't grabbed her arm. "You selfish, spoiled brat! Because your feelings are hurt, you will doom both Avar and me?"
Shamara sighed in exasperation when she realized both were glaring at her. "You don't understand."
"I understand!" Chaela shook off Avar's hands. "You have never been denied anything so you don't know how to fight for what you want! You want Dagan, but you are too much of a coward to get him! Are you afraid he might not want you, that this other woman is more important to him? Use some of your magic to make him forget her!"
"Chaela! I could never do such a thing!"
"Then use your woman's wiles," suggested Avar. "You are quite a beautiful woman, and…" he fell silent when Chaela turned to look at him. Shamara might have laughed if she didn't feel such turmoil inside.
"I'm begging you!" cried Chaela, throwing herself against Shamara. "If you love me at all and want to see me happy, you will go back and return with Dagan."
"There is still the vow to consider," Shamara reminded them. "Avar and I pledged an oath to wed. I do not wish to dishonor my house."
"You were offered to Dagan first," said Avar. "When he returns to Calabria, he should challenge me for the right to wed you."
"He would never do that!" Shamara could not even imagine it. "Besides, he is so pathetic as a swordsman that he will not be able to parry the lightest of your blows."
Chaela smiled as she ran her hand up and down Avar's arm. "He is quite amazing!"
Shamara frowned and looked her in the eye. "Perhaps I should ask if you are yet pure?"
Avar looked away as Chaela shrugged. "It is no use lying to you. I love Avar; he loves me."
Shamara was shocked. "And yet you made a vow to marry me!" Avar didn't have the good grace to be ashamed. "You are a loathsome man!"
"He wasn't going to marry you!" cried Chaela in his defense.
"I beg your forgiveness, princess!" Avar started to drop to his knee, but Chaela slapped his arm, stopping him.
"Don't apologize to her! She's the cause of this mess. We could have been celebrating our marriage today if she hadn't abandoned Prince Dagan on Mars Colony!"
Shamara stamped her foot angrily. "All right! I will speak to father tomorrow!" She glared at Avar. "I have no intention of ever marrying you, so when Dagan challenges you – if I can get him to do so – you will humiliate yourself in your defeat. Do I make myself clear?"
Avar nodded.
Chaela frowned. "I don't want my husband to be the laughing stock of the galaxy!"
"Too bad!" She spun and walked away, but Chaela hurried to catch her.
"Sister, I beg you do not tell mother and father about Avar and me."
Shamara glared at her. "If he truly loved you, he would not have taken advantage of you, Chaela."
Chaela smiled slyly. "How do you know I did not take advantage of him?"
On her way back to the palace and the festivities, Shamara was surprised to spy Apolo meeting with Larya in the shadows. She was about to hail her uncle to ask for his advice when the two came together and disappeared into the darkness. Is that all anyone ever thought of?
The following day, Shamara tried to see her father, but he was busy most of the day, so she decided to start with her mother, but she was engrossed in planning her wedding celebration. Late in the afternoon, Chaela caught up to her and asked her what their father had said to her request. When she learned that Shamara hadn't spoken to him yet, Chaela became very upset and hurried away to meet with Avar – in secret no doubt. The following two days yielded the same results; Shamara had been unable to have a moment alone with her father. She had even tried to schedule time to meet with him, but he had no openings until well after her wedding.
Frustrated, Shamara had no choice but to interrupt his private moments with her mother. Long after everyone else had gone to bed on the fourth night, she went to her parents' private chamber. The guards in the corridor seemed surprised to see her. She hadn't seen them for many years, so long had it been since they days when she would sneak into their room to sleep because she was afraid of the monsters in the dark.
After knocking at the door, she waited a moment, then knocked again. She heard a muffled curse followed by a few seconds before the door was jerked open. Her father was wearing a loose robe, and although she felt a cool breeze from the open windows, he was sweaty and flushed.
"Papa, are you sick?" That might explain why she couldn't get a moment alone with him. Out of reflex, she reached out to lay a healing hand on him, but he stepped out of her reach and she heard her mother giggling.
"What do you want of us in the middle of the night, Shamara? I thought you had left all the monsters on Mars Colony." He seemed out of breath.
She stared at him. "Are you sure that you are well?"
Trey looked over his shoulder at his wife, and Shamara realized her mother had drawn a sheet up to cover herself. "You need to have a long talk with your daughter."
Shamara felt her face flushing with embarrassment. "I…I am sorry to disturb you." She turned toward the door. Now she wanted to put as much distance as she could between her and her parents
He grabbed her arm. "It's too late to worry about interrupting now. Whatever is on your mind must be important."
Shamara couldn't bring herself to look at him. She clasped her hands in front of her and stared at them as she spoke. "I…I think I have made a mistake in leaving Prince Dagan on Mars Colony."
"I can send some men to bring him back. Is that all?" He opened the door. "Good night, Shamara, may the gods bring you happy…"
"I…I…I wish to marry him instead of Avar," she blurted.
"What?" he thundered, slamming the door shut. He grabbed her shoulders and gently shook her. "We have made all manner of preparations! You vowed to marry him before his esteemed father! How can you insult Avar so? What has he done to you?"
Mated with my sister, she wanted to say, but instead she said, "I…I should not have treated Dagan with such disrespect! I must make amends."
Trey shook his head. "You will have to have a better reason than that!"
Shamara wasn't sure what she could say without compromising Chaela and Avar.
"I see that you don't have a reason. Then you will have to settle with marrying Avar on schedule." He opened the door. "Good night, Shamara. As I said, may the gods grant you pleasant dreams."
When the door closed behind her, Shamara stood in the hall and she thought she heard both of her parents burst into laughter. She hurried away before she heard anything more.
The following day when she told her sister the result of her visit, Chaela shrieked in frustration. "You fool! Couldn't you come up with any reason?"
"I'm sorry, Chaela." Shamara sniffed. "You shouldn't have become involved with a man not your mate."
Chaela ran away in tears. Shamara wished she could do something to help her, but she had already tried. She went in search of Avar and found her brother and Taeron lounging in the practice yard discussing some subject they judged unfit for her ears because they stopped when she arrived.
"If you are looking for your betrothed, he has disappeared," said Amyr. "You will have to keep him on a short leash."
Could no man be steadfast and loyal, wondered Shamara. Her brother and Taeron probably knew about his relationship with Chaela and chose not to say anything.
"I am going to the second moon tomorrow," said Amyr conversationally. "Lord Duo is leaving through the wormhole again."
Had Shamara been able to convince her father, or even made an honest attempt, she might be accompanying him.
"I would like to visit my father at his home," commented Taeron, "and to see my sister before she must return." He paused for a moment, then added, "but I must remain at your side."
Shamara looked at him and their eyes met. At that moment she wanted to throw her arms around him and kiss him, but she feared someone might think it improper. She hurried away to find Avar and Chaela. They were sitting together in a secluded alcove in the garden.
"I have an idea! I will accompany Amyr to the moon so that Taeron might bid his sister goodbye, and when I get there, I will persuade Lord Duo to take me back with him!" Shamara was quite proud of her plan.
"Papa will never agree!" snapped Chaela. "He's not a fool!"
But that night Trey surprised everyone by asking Avar if Shamara could be allowed to bid her human friend good-bye. Shamara credited her amazing skill at manipulating her father with just the right look in her eyes when she asked him – on Taeron's behalf of course. Chaela was skeptical. Now that they had leapt that hurdle, there was one left. Shamara was sure Duo wouldn't mind taking her back through the wormhole.
"My lord, there is a message from the imperial palace."
Duo was standing at his window looking down at the garden where Quynn was sitting with Apolo. He could hear her laughing at something he said and was glad that Apolo had accompanied him back to this moon after the celebration. Apolo's excuse was that he didn't want to return to his own empty palace just yet. After many years of young women chattering and giggling, it was just too quiet for him. Duo knew the real reason; he was hoping that Larya was going to stay over at Duo's palace. Apolo wasn't able to hide his disappointment that Larya returned to her own on the first moon. But when he met Quynn, he immediately forgot his original purpose for visiting and set about healing his hurt and disillusioned daughter.
Sighing, Duo walked to his desk and pressed a button. Immediately Trey appeared in the room. Duo didn't like these hologram communicators, and Trey knew it, but he insisted on using the holograms to communicate.
"You don't mind if I sit, do you?" asked Trey with a smile.
Seeing a ghost of his friend in the room gave Duo the creeps. "Just don't do it in thin air."
Trey laughed. "I'll make this short. Shamara is on her way. I believe she will try to charm her way onto your ship to L12."
"Thanks for the warning. I'll tell her she is absolutely not…"
"Take her with you."
"What?" Duo couldn't believe what he was hearing. "Shamara is going to be married in a few days! Do you want me to bring her back immediately?" He scratched his head. "I had other plans."
"You weren't going to skip Shamara's wedding, were you?" scolded Trey gently.
"No, but I was hoping to persuade a certain guest to attend with me, and I would have some difficulty properly courting that orange-haired porcupine with Shamara riding on my coattails."
"Take your time."
"What about her wedding to Avar?" Duo was becoming confused.
"Won't happen," said Trey. "Avar's been sneaking around with Chaela. Arora told me yesterday that she discovered that Chaela is pregnant."
"By the gods!" Duo was shocked. Sweet, young Chaela was going to become a mother? Duo remembered bouncing her on his knee! "What are you going to do?"
"Chaela doesn't know yet, so we will just let events unfold as the gods will. As for Shamara, she is playing her part. She is going to beg you to take her, and I think you should refuse at first, then let her think she is a successful manipulator."
"Trey, can't I just tell her she can come with me without having to look at that puppydog expression in her eyes?" Shamara was really quite bad at getting people to do what she wanted, but no one had the heart to refuse her.
Trey laughed. "I thought you might be amused."
"What about Dagan? He isn't going to be pleased to see her again."
"Really? I had hoped he was in love with my daughter by now."
Duo chuckled. "I don't know what goes on during their trances, but she is thoroughly disgusted with him. As for him, I think the fact that he would rather be considered dead than to return to marry Shamara speaks a lot for his feelings."
"At least Shamara is not so disgusted that she won't go back. I think she has feelings for him, but they confuse her. She needs to spend more time with him."
"Might I remind you, Trey, where he is? He is a prisoner, and the planet is a nest of man-eating beasts that you could not even imagine in your wildest nightmares. Did I not tell you what happened to Shamara? Did you forget that Hardane was consumed in a single bite?" Duo shook his head. "I hope you know what you are doing."
"We must trust the will of the gods." He waved to Duo before disappearing as the communication came to an end.
Duo could hear Quynn and Apolo in the garden yet, so Duo set aside his work and went out to join them. Quynn was smiling as he approached. "Lord Duo, Lord Apolo was just telling me how my mother saved his life."
Duo didn't really care to be reminded of those days. He had been particularly hard-hearted toward Trynity when they were in Apolo's camp, in no small part because he had been jealous of the time she spent nursing Apolo to health after a near-mortal wound. As he thought about that time, he remembered seeing Shamara in her arms many times and he knew now that she was trying to adjust to the idea that she was going to be a mother. He had ridiculed her efforts.
"Why the glum look, my lord?" teased Quynn. "Lord Apolo told me he had been tempted to win my mother's heart from you. Do you remember?"
"I think we should stop before he draws his sword," laughed Apolo. "I am not the imperial guard I used to be."
"Years spent catering to females have made you weak," said Duo. He looked at Quynn. "Why don't you cut some flowers for the hall? We will be receiving guests soon."
She raised her brows. "Who do you think you are talking to? Me, pick flowers?"
Apolo smiled and reached out to caress her cheek. "You like the pink and white flowers we were looking at earlier."
She smiled back at him. "I do. I think I will go cut some for the hall."
Duo watched her walk away humming to herself. "I wish I had that kind of magic. Now I know how you controlled all those young women."
Apolo chuckled. "She wanted to do it, but she thought you might consider it a weak female activity."
"I am glad that you came to heal her," Duo told him, putting his hand on his shoulder. "She has been so miserable these past days."
"I healed her physical wounds and for now she does not remember exactly what happened with that monster." Apolo curled his fingers into a fist. "No woman should have to suffer what he had intended for her." He then put his hand over Duo's. "Rest easy, my friend. He was not able to dishonor her and your house before Taeron rescued her. She is still pure."
Duo's brows shot up. "She is pure? By the gods, by her behavior and dress, I thought…" He didn't finish the sentence. Duo was ashamed that he had such a low opinion of his own daughter.
"So you are returning through the wormhole," remarked Apolo. "Will you be bringing Quynn's mother back with you?"
"You are free to court Larya," said Duo with a chuckle. "I won't stand in your way. Taeron is the only link between us."
Apolo looked surprised. "I have no interest in that female! She is an ambitious whore. I still have not forgotten how she made a fool of me many years ago."
"I'm glad you are not interested in her because she utterly despises you." Duo was amused to see Apolo frown. "Besides, Larya isn't the type of woman who would put up with your need to please all females."
Apolo nodded. "Indeed. I cannot waste myself on one rotting apple when there are so many delicious fruits to be tasted."
Duo bit his lip to keep from laughing. Apolo was hooked and he didn't realize it. Arora had taken him aside and asked him what had happened on the moon before his departure because Apolo had suddenly lost interest in the woman clamoring for his attention. Duo wondered if she had used the chains. Perhaps he liked Larya's style.
"My lord," spoke up Duo's personal servant, "the crown prince has arrived with his entourage."
"Encourage?" Apolo raised a brow. "I didn't know Amyr traveled with a group."
"His entourage is Shamara and Taeron. Shamara is returning with me."
"I thought she might. She cannot stay away from Dagan."
Duo looked at him. "Do you think she is in love with him?"
"Only she knows that." Apolo rose and went to greet his nephew, then kissed Shamara's cheeks as they entered the garden. He also hugged Taeron because he was now considered part of the imperial family.
Duo went straight to Shamara. "What are you doing here?"
Her cheeks turned pink, so he knew she was going to lie. "Taeron wished to bid his sister a safe journey, and because he is my guard, I came along."
Duo wanted to laugh, but he managed to keep a straight face. "You will have to amuse yourself because I have preparations to make for the journey. I intend to visit Mars Colony before returning."
Shamara curled her arm around his. "Let's take a walk in the garden. There is something I want to discuss with you."
At that moment, Quynn returned carrying an armful of pink and white flowers. "Is this enough, Lord Duo?"
Amyr frowned at her. "Just take them inside! Can't you see that Lord Duo is too busy to be bothered with such inconsequential details?"
Duo realized that Amyr thought she was a servant. Before he could correct him and introduce his daughter, Quynn flung the flowers in his face.
"Who the hell are you?"
The crowned prince stood with a shocked expression on his face. Then he exploded. "By the gods, Lord Duo, who is this brazen wench? I think she should be beaten for her insolence!"
"Who's going to do it?" she demanded, hands on her hips. "You?"
Duo looked to Amyr for a response. Amyr was speechless. This would be a good time to intervene. He opened his mouth so speak.
"I don't think you have what it takes," continued Quynn as she walked around Amyr, looking him over in a way no Calabrian ever would. In fact, all Calabrian women would on their knees before him with their heads bowed. They certainly would never speak to him, let alone insult him.
"My lord!" sputtered Amyr, looking at Duo. "Do I have your permission to punish this impudent woman?"
Before Quynn could retort, Duo put his arm around her shoulders. "This is my daughter, Quynn."
"Your daughter!" Amyr was amazed, then his face turned a shade darker. "My lord, forgive the insult to your house!"
Duo chuckled. "I fear Quynn brought it on. If anyone owes me an apology, it would be my daughter. Quynn, this is Amyr, crown prince of Calabria."
"Am I supposed to be impressed?"
Shamara tugged on Duo's tunic, so he reluctantly turned his amused attention from Amyr who had lost the power to speak again. Trey's son had never met a woman like Quynn. Duo knew how he felt. Miss Trynity Stryfe had thrown him for a loop when he met her.
"Now that introductions have been made," said Shamara, "I believe you offered to take me for a walk in the garden."
He hadn't, but then nothing was going to stand in her way. "I had forgotten. Quynn, you may show them to their rooms."
"Great! Now I am lady of the castle and I don't even know where my own damn room is without asking a servant," muttered Quynn as she headed to the door to the inside. Without pausing, she tossed over her shoulder, "Keep up, because I'm not stopping for you."
"Your sister deserves a whipping over the backside," Duo heard Amyr tell Taeron.
"I know, but I don't think anyone can do it," he responded.
"Damn right!" Duo heard Quynn call back to them. "Now let's go."
"You're going the wrong direction," pointed out Amyr. "I have often stayed here and my room is…"
"Who's leading this parade? You or me?" snapped Quynn.
Apolo sighed. "I think I had best join them or she will filet Amyr. He's not used to women who speak their minds."
"No," agreed Shamara, "he is only used to woman who lay out before him."
Duo raised a brow. He doubted Shamara knew exactly what she was talking about since she could not phrase it correctly. Apolo was laughing about that fact as he disappeared into the palace.
Shamara grabbed Duo's arm and forced him down onto the bench before the fountain. "I have a favor to ask you."
"I thought we were going for a walk," he remarked wryly.
She batted her long lashes at him. "We can dispense with the walk. My feet hurt anyway from standing around accepting all the well-wishes for my upcoming marriage."
"Avar seemed to be a gentle and loving young man," said Duo. He almost laughed at the sour look on Shamara's face. Shamara was obviously aware of what was going on with Chaela.
"I suppose he is. I wouldn't know." She took a deep breath, and her eyes seemed to become limpid pools of despair. "Duo, I want to go with you when you return to Mars Colony."
Duo shook his head. "I can't take you with me, Shamara."
She sighed tragically and her lashes glistened with the tears she was trying to force out. Poor Shamara, she was so innocent and sweet that she had a hard time acting. "I…I must return. I have horribly wronged Prince Dagan." She clasped her hands to her heart. "I must help him!"
Duo thought about drawing this ridiculous scene out further, but he didn't want Shamara to be begging him on her knees. "Very well, Shamara, I will take you with me. But I will have to tell Trey."
"Oh no!" she cried, jumping to her feet. "You cannot tell my father! He has forbidden me from returning to Mars Colony."
"I do not feel right about spiriting you away. I should inform him somehow…"
"I have that covered. I have written a note explaining to him my plans. A trusted servant will deliver it to him once I have left." Shamara smiled at her own cleverness. Duo was glad she had given her father's feelings some consideration. Shamara was a dutiful daughter, despite her plotting. Of course, she didn't realize that Trey was manipulating her, but that made her all the more adorable.
She kissed his cheek. "Thank you, Duo. Now I have to prepare for the journey."
Duo shook his head. He had a bad feeling about this trip.
