Part 61
"What's happening?" Zan demanded, rising quickly when Khivar entered the chamber in which he was isolated with Rath. It had been several hours since the "usurpation" of his throne, and there had been no report from anyone about how the plan was progressing. He knew that Rowena must be back on Valonia by now, dealing with the Zan clone, and he could feel himself becoming more concerned by the minute, as each passed without any word.
This confinement was nothing like the one he had shared with Rowena for weeks on Valonia. That had been something of an idyll, with no responsibility and no concern, because there was no way of knowing what was happening outside of their cell. This, however, was torture, because Zan had a very good idea of what might be occurring, and it was supremely frustrating to not be able to take an active hand in any of it.
The plan absolutely depended on the shapeshifters not becoming aware of the alliance between Antar, Valonia, and Sardica though. Zan would master his impatience because it was a necessity.
"Serena and Ro are down on the planet," Khivar replied calmly. "I've sent my lieutenant, Nikkol, with them. He'll make sure that the clone is destroyed."
"Serena went too?" Zan asked. He narrowed his eyes, examining Khivar intently. In spite of what Rath had told him - that Khivar was going along with the plan and that he had no expectation of any kind of reward - Zan realized that he still did not entirely trust him. "You do know that she plans to have herself destroyed when this is all over?" He was harsh on purpose, wanting Khivar's real reaction to the news.
"I know," Khivar said. He remained expressionless. "It is her choice, of course."
"But you don't expect it?" Zan asked. "You don't demand it?"
Khivar sighed wearily, his mask disappearing. He dropped into a chair, then propped his head on his hand. "It is her choice," he repeated.
"I think it is a mistake. You should stop her," Zan insisted. "She is your wife."
Khivar did not answer. He just lowered his gaze, no longer hiding how difficult this entire situation was for him.
"I am sorry about all of this," Zan said, his tone less confrontational. "I hope you know that Rowena and I did not plan what happened."
"I know it," Khivar replied. He looked up, his expression fierce. "Love is not something that can be controlled."
Rath, who had been sitting quietly, snorted at this. When Zan and Khivar both looked at him, he shook his head. "I'm sorry, but I just really do not understand why love has suddenly become intertwined with marriage. Men of your status have never married for love. It is just not our way. Marriage is meant to be a contract. It is to solidify alliances"
"But it should not be," Zan replied firmly. "Real marriage of the mind and soul can never be about anything but love. I hope that one day you will understand, brother." He felt a pang of sadness that Rath had obviously never loved Vilandra in the way she deserved to be loved, if he was so cavalier about the topic. No wonder his sister had been susceptible to the shapeshifter impersonating Khivar. It must have been a lonely marriage.
"I will not," Rath snapped.
"This is not a productive conversation," Khivar said. "What will be, will be. This fleet will arrive at Wendar in several hours. My ships maintain a course for Antar, as though we are preparing to deliver Zan for trial, so that they will remain unaware of the impending assault. We will use your sky army to take down their planet."
Zan frowned at this. "What is the point of all-out warfare against the Wendarians? There is no leader, and, so no one to surrender. We will have to destroy all of them if we destroy one."
"There is no leader like on our planets," Khivar reminded him, "But the delegate to the council can speak for the planet. We will threaten to destroy a city an hour until he admits their duplicity."
Zan stared at him. "I don't know about…"
"It will not come to that," Khivar assured him. "They will never sacrifice their people. One of the advantages to their communal lifestyle is that no life is taken for granted. They are all connected. They will not want to lose anyone."
"I hope you are right," Zan said. "Because I am not sure that I can allow the killing of innocents."
"None of them are innocent," Khivar replied. "If one is against us, they all are."
"Maybe that can change," Zan argued. "We must give the Wendarians the chance to try. In spite of their claims otherwise, there are leaders who have steered the race on this destructive course. We must allow those who would rebel against them the opportunity."
Khivar glanced at Rath, who was listening, still scowling. It made Zan uncomfortable. He had a feeling that his general was in complete agreement with Khivar, and he didn't particularly like it. While he wanted this conflict to end as much as the next person, the destruction of Wendar had never even crossed his mind as an alternative. Didn't this, in the end, make them no better than the Wendarians, who had arranged for the Zan clone to destroy Valonia?
Tense silence descended over the room. It represented how fragile the alliance between Sardica and Antar remained, and how far apart their ideals had become. It brought to Zan's mind another argument as to why Serena should be allowed to live. With Khivar married to her, the bonds that existed between she and Rowena could only strengthen the relationship between the two leading planets of the system. She could serve as a modifying influence on her husband, now that his sister - before her death, Karana had been Khivar's most trusted counselor - was gone.
Zan knew that he would use this very argument when he tried to convince both Rath and, more importantly, Serena, that she should live.
This reflection was interrupted by a buzzer, signaling that someone was requesting entrance from outside the chamber.
"Come in," Khivar called out, standing up.
The door slid open, revealing a man in Sardican uniform. He was disheveled in a way that sent a chill down Zan's spine.
"Nikkol," Khivar said, his tone surprised. "What are you doing here?"
"It is a blessing that my ship was able to catch the fleet." Khivar's general stepped quickly into the room, glancing at Zan. "I would speak to you alone, highness."
"Whatever is happening on Valonia is just as much my king's concern as Khivar's," Rath snapped, before Zan could say the same thing. "In fact, more so. He is still high king, in spite of our ruse."
Nikkol grimaced, but nodded his assent. He continued, "I am sorry, highness." He paused, then added, "Highnesses," he amended. "There was more of a force awaiting us than we expected. The Valonian palace is over-run by shapeshifters."
Zan felt his heart stop. "Where is Rowena?" he demanded. He barely refrained from rushing forward and grabbing Nikkol by the front of his uniform. "Where is she?"
"Captured," Nikkol replied, lowering his gaze. "Or at least, that is probably what happened to them."
"You left them there?" Khivar roared. "You left my wife and her sister in the hands of our enemies?"
Nikkol cringed. "It was completely unexpected, highness! Wendarians have never taken up arms. They work in the shadows. Before we knew what was happening, we were taken. It was the queen herself who told me to leave. She insisted. Very strenuously, might I add."
"I don't understand," Rath said. "If you were taken, how did you escape?"
"I didn't escape," Nikkol explained grimly. He swallowed, then raised his gaze. "I am here to deliver a message from Yorvin."
"Yorvin?" Khivar demanded. "Who by the stars is Yorvin?"
"The king of Wendar," Nikkol replied.
"Wendar doesn't have a…" Khivar trailed off. He looked sharply at Zan.
Zan knew exactly what he was thinking, and he voiced it. "They have decided on their own to leave the shadows."
"Indeed," Khivar acknowledged. His flat tone seemed designed to hide the panic he was most likely feeling. Because, if he wasn't, then he was much stronger than Zan.
They had handed Rowena and Serena over into the very clutches of their enemies. They had overplayed their hand. Zan felt like kicking himself. They should have known that no operation as grandiose, as secretive, and as long-term as that being played out by the shapeshifters could have been defeated so quickly.
This was far from over.
"How did they know?" Rath almost yelled. "There is a traitor in our midst!"
"Peace, brother," Zan said quietly. He knew that Rath was right. It did not matter how long the shapeshifters had been conspiring. Rowena, Khivar, and Serena's plan had been a good one. The shapeshifters should never have suspected anything. Someone had supplied them with information. It was the only explanation.
But there was no point in worrying about it now. Or at least not immediately. They had more important matters to address.
"What do they want?" Zan asked, through gritted teeth.
"They want the real abdication of both yourself and my king, and they want you to turn yourselves over to them," Nikkol replied dully. "They also want Ava."
"Ava?" Khivar sounded surprised. He was apparently as dismissive of the first option as Zan was, not even addressing it. Zan would never abdicate his throne. He would never betray his people that way. "Why?"
"I am sure that Knosis is still working the angles," Rath suggested, sounding disgusted. "My guess is that sweet little Ava is about to be made a pawn in another dynastic marriage." He glanced at Zan. "Which would not now be possible if you had just married her."
Zan frowned at him. "Rath, let that one go. It will never happen."
"You could still marry her," Rath insisted. "If you did, Knosis would have no cause to stay allied to Wendar. There would be no advantage in it for them. Their future queen would be our permanent partner through the unbreakable bonds of matrimony. It is what marriage is meant to do." He scowled at Zan. "Highness, this is war. You have no choice."
Zan stared at him. The truth of the matter was so undeniable, he was momentarily speechless.
"I…I cannot," he finally managed to say.
"Zan, you are king," Rath argued. "You must do what is best for your people. This is best. Rowena would agree."
"There has to be another way," he replied, trying to sound more certain than he felt.
"There is not," Rath replied. Then, after a pause, he made the one argument that he must have known would irrevocably tilt the tables in his favour. "Zan, if you do not neutralize the Knosians by doing this, we will need to destroy Wendar. If you do this…" He trailed off, gentling his tone, "Zan, if you do this, it will be four planets allied against one. Four planets with strong leaders, firmly tied by unbreakable bonds. We will subdue Wendar with the aid of Knosis. With them, we will have an inside ally. They can maintain the illusion of being on Wendar's side. They will be able to take the planet with a minimum of bloodshed, because their fleet in Wendar's environs will not be suspected. Without them, we have no choice but to destroy this Yorvin's power base."
Zan stared at his closest advisor. He felt as though he was suffocating. The walls were closing in on him. Because, in his heart, he knew that Rath was right. It was a solid plan.
The only way to have even a chance at saving Rowena was to betray her completely.
"I cannot," he insisted. "I cannot do it."
"Zan, think." Rath's tone was pained. It did not make Zan feel any better to know that forcing him to do something so against his will was not pleasant for Rath. It was Rath's job. He was his advisor, his right hand. It meant more than being his best friend. For Rath's position to have any meaning, it had to.
"I am thinking," Zan snapped. "I am thinking about betraying the only woman I will ever love."
"What makes you think she has not already betrayed you?"
Zan turned his head, staring at Nikkol. Khivar's lieutenant took a step back at the fierce expression on Zan's face. "What are you daring to suggest?" Zan demanded.
"I am sorry, highness," he said quickly, "But this all seems a little coincidental." He looked at Khivar, as though for guidance. "Do you not think so, my king? You have already been betrayed by the queen of Valonia. Why is it such a stretch that she has done the same thing to the high king?"
"I do not understand you, Nikkol," Khivar barked. "Speak more plainly."
"Who else could have betrayed our plan? Who else but Rowena? There is no other possible way the shapeshifters could have learned of it. She worked closely with them for years, designing the cloning process that allowed them to sow the seeds of discord in our system so completely. Why would anyone do such a thing, if not for gain of some sort? If not for deception? There is too much coincidence. It only makes sense that she is the guilty party."
"She did not betray me," Zan told him bluntly. "I know her."
"Maybe you do not," Nikkol replied. "Love can be blind, highness. Perhaps this is why royalty is not meant to marry for love." He sounded so smug, and so much like Rath, Zan wanted to pound him. He felt Rath's hand on his shoulder, as though his general had read his mind, which he most likely had.
"Zan, think," Rath again pleaded. "As much as it pains me - she is, after all, my cousin - Nikkol is speaking sense here."
"You are very quick to turn on your own kin." Zan wrenched away from his friend, although he was beginning to wonder if Rath was truly that at all.
"I am a realist, highness," Rath replied quietly. "You are the only one I trust implicitly. I trust you to do the right thing, Zan."
Zan could feel the noose tightening. As angry, and as frustrated as it made him - as completely as he knew that Rowena had not betrayed him - marriage to Ava did seem like the only alternative left to him. It could mean saving the lives of millions of innocent Wendarians, who could not possibly have any awareness of this Yorvin's perfidy. The fact that Yorvin had openly named himself king, betraying the very culture of his people, had to mean that they were innocent. And, if it meant that, what choice did he have but to save them? They were his people too. He was high king. It was his job to protect them, even from their own kind.
He looked at Khivar, hoping against hope that the king of Sardica would have another idea. That he too would acknowledge that Rowena could not have betrayed them.
"I am sorry," Khivar said softly. "As much as I believe that Rowena is innocent, and that there must be another explanation for how the shapeshifters found out, I do believe that your marriage to Ava would only strengthen our position. I believe that Rowena will understand."
Zan narrowed his gaze, as something occurred to him. "When Serena sacrifices her life to destroy the cloning technology, you will be free to marry Rowena. I will no longer be in the way."
Khivar frowned slightly, but he did not deny that this thought had also occurred to him. He remained quiet.
Zan sighed, reaching up and rubbing the bridge of his nose wearily. It did not signify. Whether Khivar had designs on Rowena in the future or not, he could not deny that his marriage to Ava now seemed unavoidable.
The one argument both Rath and Khivar had used that Zan believed - that Rowena would understand - did not make his heart any lighter.
In that instant, he had never hated his crown, and the responsibility it brought, more.
The fact that you don't really want to be king will make you a great one
Rowena's words passed through his mind, sounding more like a bitter taunt than the benediction they had been at the time she had said them. Would she say the same if she knew what he was about to do?
He had lowered his gaze, as he struggled to accept that he really did have no choice left. Now, raising his eyes, he met Khivar's squarely.
"Bring Ava," he said firmly. He turned toward the large window overlooking the star-pocked sky. "And bring a priest," he added softly.
But his thoughts were already flying across the system to the one he loved, hoping that somehow, in some way, she would hear him.
Please forgive me