Chapter 66
Dijana turned to see that Roehan was standing just inside the room, his wings flared out behind him as feathers drifted to the floor from the speed at which he had unfurled them in his anger. Her mother was standing nearby, her lips pursed in disapproval, whether for her or for her mate, Dijana did not know. Behind them stood Valter and Guillem and Dijana could see that Guillem's mouth was ajar in shock and she cringed inwardly at what he must think of her.
"Neria!" Larya cried out in delight, and she left Dijana's side to hurry to greet the queen of Teralon. Dijana was speechless, horrified that her parents had heard what she said, at how they discovered her shame. When Trynity moved to sit near her, grasping her hand to give a comforting squeeze as Larya embraced her mother, Dijana was grateful though it did little to quell her anxiety at the arrival of her mother and father.
"You have heard what our children have done?" asked Larya as she held Neria's shoulders and leaned back to look at her.
"Just now," Neria told her and the two women embraced again with delighted cries while Roehan stood nearby with a scowl that terrified Dijana. "Your bungling son and my foolish daughter are to give us a grandchild. Isn't it wonderful?!"
"How can you be pleased with this?" demanded Roehan, his wings quivering with the rage.
"Put back your wings," sniffed Neria disdainfully. "This is not a battlefield. If you insist upon being rude, you can go stay with to the warriors we brought to the planet."
"I will not leave you females here alone to arrange my daughter's future!" Dijana had never seen her father so angry and by the surprised look on her face, neither had Neria.
An uncomfortable silence followed his outburst until Neria said, "Very well, Roehan, you may stay. But you shall retract your wings and behave in a civilized manner or I shall have Valter and Guillem forcibly remove you."
Roehan gave them a quelling glare, and by the looks on their faces, Valter and Guillem would rather not try to remove the prince consort, but her mother did not back down, so he drew his wings back with deliberate reluctance.
"Apolo!" snapped Larya, turning to face her mate. "Why did you not tell us that the Teralonians had arrived?"
"You females were busy discussing whatever females discuss, so I decided to wait until they had landed to bring them to you. I did not think we would come upon Princess Dijana announcing her future plans and that her parents would not be in agreement." Apolo seemed more amused than apologetic for the untimely arrival.
"Why would we be in agreement with such a plan?" Her father's voice seemed to reverberate off the walls.
The dark look Roehan gave Dijana suddenly infuriated her, and shaking off the comforting hand of the healer, she shot to her feet with her fists clenched at her side as she faced him. "I will not let you make any more decisions for me!"
"If what you have decided to do with your life and your child is any indication of your ability to make decisions," he roared at her. "then you need me to decide what is best for you for the rest of your life!"
He advanced towards her, but Dijana stood her ground with her chin raised. "I should not have listened to you on Teralon! I should not have sent Taeron away!" By the gods, she hated this overbearing, overprotective hypocrite!
"You should not have invited him into your bed!"
"Roehan!" Now her mother was furious. "This is neither the time nor place for this discussion."
"This is not a discussion," remarked Trynity as she folded her arms over her chest and sat back. "This is an argument."
"Trey would call it entertainment," commented Arora as she leaned forward to pour herself more tea. "I will have to give Stryfe the details so that he can entertain my mate with this story when he might be more amenable."
Roehan swung to look at Dijana's mother."Gods, Neria! Are you defending that Calabrian bastard after what he did to my daughter?"
But Lady Larya cleared her throat. "That Calabrian bastard is my bastard," she said pertly. "I did not raise my son to violate females, so I shall assume that he received a warm welcome when he was invited to your daughter's bed so he did not do anything to her that she did not want."
Roehan spun to glare at her, and Apolo moved quickly to stand between them. Dijana noted that Lady Larya did not cower and she wondered if the woman feared any man.
Her Guerani mate reached out quickly to snag one of the prince consort's hands. "Perhaps you should have some tea with us and you will feel a bit more relaxed. You can see that Dijana is safe and that she has not been harmed by the Varoonyans. We were able to thwart whatever plans they had for her."
To Dijana's surprise, her father's shoulders sagged and his wings retracted. "You are right," he said with a sigh and he ran a shaking hand through his golden hair. "I have not been able to rest knowing that my daughter left with the Varoonyans. I was afraid … afraid that she was in Warlord Kai's hands again."
His agonized words touched Dijana and Neria reached out to take one of his hands to comfort him. "We have both been terrified for our daughter's safety."
Dijana now felt selfish for what she had done and for her childish behavior only a moment ago. Knowing what she did now about Princess Cydeara, her parents had ample reason to worry about her safety and only the Calabrians stood between her and Warlord Kai.
"I am sorry for what I did. I should not have left Teralon without consulting you." Now she went to her father and took his free hand. "Forgive me, father, for my harsh words. I should not have spoken to you as I did."
"No," agreed Neria before he could respond. "You should not have. You owe Guillem and Valter an apology as well. They trusted you and you sorely abused that trust with your rash behavior."
Looking at her personal guards, Dijana spoke to Valter first, "I am very sorry that I have ruined your plans to be wed before harvest."
"I am only glad that you are safe." He grunted although she sensed he was not pleased to have to travel so far to rescue her. Because of her, his marriage might have to wait until after tilling or even fallow season depending on how long he would be required to remain on Calabria.
She looked at Guillem whose mouth was still ajar after hearing her plans for him. Before she could speak, he blurted, "I cannot be your mate, princess! You are like a sister to me!"
Neria nodded in agreement. "Guillem is a capable warrior, but I doubt you ever imagined him as a lover, Dijana, and it would be unkind of you to trap him in a loveless marriage."
Her father found his voice again. "The only male that you will wed is that …that ..." Roehan glanced at Larya whose brows were raised as she waited for his insult before he amended, "You will wed the father of your child. If you carry a female ..."
"She does," said Apolo and Arora at the same time.
"At least I could keep that a secret," muttered Trynity.
"By the gods!" cried Neria in joy. Her lovely wings unfurled, and she released her husband to pull Dijana into her embrace and her dark wings came around her. As she kissed her cheeks , Dijana was shocked that her father had joined in the embrace and for several moments they held her enfolded within their wings.
"They are that pleased by a female?" Dijana heard Larya ask.
"Should your granddaughter have wings, she will one day rule Teralon," Apolo told her as he put his arm around her shoulders. "I don't doubt that your grandson will rule Calabria as well."
"Oh!" Larya seemed startled. "I never dreamed such a thing possible. I only want my son to be happy."
Trynity stood up. "I see that I must be the voice of reason in this room. You are celebrating prematurely. I, more than any of you, know how Trey reacts to these situations. Because I did not trust Duo, Trey does not completely accept me although we were friends on Earth, and he has yet to acknowledge my daughter as his son's wife even though he witnessed their exchange of oaths."
"She is right," concurred Arora, going to stand by Trynity. "We have had many arguments about female inconstancy."
"Unfortunately I have yet to persuade Trey that their whimsy is what makes females so delightful," remarked Apolo with a smile directed at his wife.
"Whimsy?" she raised her brows. "You shall have to explain just what you mean by that!"
Her mate shifted uncomfortably under her direct gaze. "My beloved, I never know what you are going to do from one moment to the next. You never cease to fascinate me."
Arora laughed. "I think you should stop, brother, before your tongue becomes tied and you say something you shall regret."
"I do not want his tongue tied," admitted Larya with a frown.
"Then I shall save it for more useful purposes than speaking," he said with a smile that made Dijana blush, her father frown and her mother share a laugh with Larya.
"I fear Trey has more of Zeno in him than he cares to admit," said Larya after returning Apolo's smile. "And we cannot predict how Taeron will react to Dijana's arrival."
"He was very hurt when he returned from Teralon," agreed Trynity and Dijana felt her heart ache as she remembered how he had watched her leave him in the grotto in her father's arms that day . Dijana wished the gods would give those moments back to her because she would stay with him this time and ask him to hold her and never let her go.
"Taeron is much like Shamara," sighed Arora. "He will do what is expected of him at the expense of his own happiness, and I am sorry to say that my mate will take advantage of his loyalty."
"Your mate is a boor at times," commented Larya sympathetically.
"He has been since he was a child." The emperor's wife let out a long-suffering sigh. "But in this, he has little choice. Over the years we have become increasingly dependent on house Caron and now they want what they feel they are due. Taeron understands that beginning his house with Keilana is wise because an alliance with them will bring many imperial trained warriors under the control of the crown prince. Many of the soldiers have blooded their swords on Teralon and Varoonya, so they bring no small amount of experience. Should Trey wish to subdue the frontier worlds to stop their increasingly frequent forways into Calabrian space, he will need those warriors."
"At least we managed to make allies by pairing the rejected females with the many males that arrived at court seeking suitable mates," pointed out Apolo. "In the last few weeks we have matched several houses whose loyalty to the emperor has been strengthened."
"We will need those allies now," said Arora.
"My solution was best," interrupted Dijana without looking at her parents. Teralon was nothing compared to the powerful Calabrian house.
Larya tisked. "That is not an option I would consider, nor will Taeron when he learns of the babe."
"He need not know," suggested Dijana.
She was unprepared for the cacophony of refusals to go along with her plan, for the strong females in her presence had all once tried to do the same thing. Now she understood why Lady Arora had remarked that she was planning to fall on her sword because they had all tried it and caused their mates unnecessary heartache.
Finally, after they had exhausted all their reasons for her not to keep the news from Taeron, Dijana yielded, but she told them that she would persuade Taeron to see reason. If marriage to the Calabrian female would maintain the peace and stability of the empire, Dijana thought her future happiness was a small price to pay. Taeron would need the men of house Caron if he were to challenge the rebellious prince in the mountains, and once he bonded with the other female, he would not care about Dijana anymore. The thought of him with another woman was agonizing, but Dijana knew that she must bear it. Holding his child in her arms would ease the ache.
Lady Arora took her hands and Dijana felt her fierce determination. "Taeron will not marry into house Caron. I will not allow it, Dijana. The gods meant for you to be his mate."
Although her father did not want to leave her side and he looked as though he wanted to say more, Roehan seemed to remember his place among females and remained quiet. Apolo convinced him that he should rest after the journey from Teralon and since Neria looked exhausted, Roehan relented after warning Guillem and Valter to stay near Dijana, that he would not tolerate another lapse in their duties. Dijana apologized to them again and promised that she would not sneak away from them, and then she went with her parents who wanted to know everything that had happened to her in the time since she left Teralon with the Varoonyans. She could see that her father wanted to scold her, but Neria's glare kept him in check although his scowl unnerved her as he paced the spacious chamber they had been given.
When she finished speaking, her mother took her hands and squeezed them. "I know that I speak for your father when I say we are relieved that you are safe."
"She was safe in the palace on Teralon," muttered Roehan.
They watched him pace, clenching and unclenching his fists for several moments before Neria said, "You might as well say what you think you need to say."
When he stopped to look at them, Dijana was touched by the emotion on his face. "I never hoped to have children after I devoted my life to Neria, but ever since I learned the truth about you, Dijana, I have tried to be a good father. But you do not want me to be your father and have cut me out of your life without giving me a chance."
Dijana's heart swelled and tears pricked her eyes. Her father loved her and she had done nothing but reject him since he had entered her life. Her only excuse could be that Balak had never shown her any affection and she did not want to hope that she could expect different from Roehan.
"You are being far too melodramatic, Roehan." Neria said dismissively. "Dijana is not a child. She certainly does not need you smothering her."
"I want what is best for my daughter."
Dijana went to him and put her hand on his arm and she was surprised that he relaxed under her touch. "You want what you think is best for me."
He put his large hand over hers. "Do you think you can be happy with Crown Prince Taeron?"
She could not help the tears as she nodded, and he drew her into an embrace as she wept, and when her sobs had subsided, he stoked her hair and said, "I will do whatever I can to help you, Dijana."
They spent the evening with Taeron's family making plans for her arrival at the imperial court although Dijana was dismayed to learn that the emperor was meeting with the males of house Caron to negotiate the marriage between their female and the crown prince. Dijana soon grew weary and her father walked with her back to her room and did not leave until she was comfortably settled. They left her mother behind with Larya making plans for a grand entrance while Lady Arora sat apart from them with her brother, neither speaking although Dijana was sure they were communicating.
She fell asleep quickly, but she awoke from a disturbing dream and while she could not remember what it had been about, lingering feelings of anger and shame stayed with her. She could not get back to sleep, and thinking that some fresh air might help, she went to the door opening onto the terrace, but she paused when she heard voices.
"Did I wake you?" Dijana recognized Lady Arora's voice.
"I could not sleep." Taeron's mother was on the terrace and Dijana stepped back so that she would not disturb them. She was about to go back to her bed and try to sleep again, but she remembered Chaela's stories of spying at her father's palace, so she stopped just inside her chamber so that she could listen.
"You are not worried about Taeron, are you?"
"No, Arora, I am worried about you."
The emperor's wife sighed wearily. "You do not need to worry about me, Larya."
"I have been distressed for you since I learned that house Caron had put forward their female. I knew they Trey would wish for my son to take her as his mate, and I have been hard-pressed not to tell your mate what he should know, what you have been keeping from him."
"I thank you for not betraying my trust in you."
"Soon enough you will not have to worry about my keeping your secret. You don't think a bastard like Renaeld can keep his mouth shut, do you?"
"He has done so for many years," said Lady Arora. "If he wants to live, he will continue."
"You cannot trust a man like him, Arora. Sooner or later he was bound to make his move. I am surprised he has waited so long and I am disgusted that he is trying to use my son in his bid for power."
"I will not allow that, Larya."
They fell silent and then Dijana heard Lord Apolo's voice. "I awoke to find you gone, Larya."
"I hope that did not inconvenience you," she remarked wryly, and then she gasped. "My lord! Not in front of your sister."
Arora laughed. "My brother has not changed at all."
"I am completely devoted to my females. Why don't you warm the bed, Larya while I speak to my sister."
"You are not ordering me to do so, are you?"
"Larya, my beloved, I would not dare to presume such a thing. I am only suggesting, and I will make it well worth your effort."
"You did earlier, my lord, but I am not averse to experiencing your exertions again."
Dijana caught herself smiling at their intimate banter. She had been afraid of Taeron's mother, but she was less intimidating than her own mother.
"You and Larya are sharing secrets," she heard Apolo say.
"She is dear to me."
"You have never kept anything from me, Arora. But now I sense that you are hiding something from me." He sounded hurt.
"Why don't you read Larya's mind to find out what it is?" Lady Arora responded resentfully.
"I would never violate her trust by doing such a thing. Will you tell me, beloved sister?"
"Some secrets are best kept between females," she said. "Go back to bed with Larya. You have given her high expectations."
The Guerani lord sighed deeply. "I love you, sister, and I would help you if you but give me a chance."
When she did not respond, Dijana heard his footsteps as he left the terrace, and she moved to return to her bed until she heard Lady Arora speak again.
"I know you are there, Dijana, so you may as well give me some company since I sense that you cannot sleep."
Feeling guilty for having spied on her, Dijana felt her cheeks heat as she stepped out onto the terrace that was bathed by the eerie light from the two moons. Lady Arora was wearing a pale dressing robe that stood out in the darkness, so Dijana could easily see her sitting on the low wall at the edge of the terrace.
"I am sorry, gracious lady," she started to say, but the older woman waved her quiet.
"I am Chaela's mother. She is deluding herself if she ever thought I did not know when she was spying on me."
Despite her embarrassment, Dijana laughed. "Then she is deluding herself, my lady."
"Chaela's antics have always entertained me! I am overjoyed that she has been granted her powers by the ancestors, and yet saddened by how it came about. Chaela has matured beyond her years after losing Kaerwen. I wanted to thank you for helping her through that difficult time."
Dijana could not help but feel responsible, and she was about to say so, but the Guerani woman reached out to touch her and the feelings of guilt eased away.
"You are not to blame for your brother's actions, nor those of your stepfather. They were ambitious monsters that you could not fight. If Chaela could have imagined how evil their hearts were, she would not have challenged them." Arora sighed and released her hands. "You are very dear to her, Dijana, and I have already sensed how much Taeron loves you."
"My lady, would it not just be easier for everyone if I returned to Teralon?" Dijana thought the emperor's wife might listen to reason when the other women were not present.
"Easier for everyone? Would it be easier for you, Dijana, to bear Taeron's child alone? Would it be easier for you to say goodbye to your child so that she can be with her father? Will it be easier for your child to be parted from her mother? I can tell you after experiencing Taeron's past, that your innocent child will feel the pain of separation from you and from her father."
"I do not want to be the cause of war between the emperor and house Caron," Dijana argued.
"You would not cause the war, Dijana. This fight has been long in coming, but it was going to happen whether you came to Calabria or not." Her voice was hard and Dijana was surprised by the vehemence of her statement. "I bear no ill will towards Keilana, but I will not stand by and watch her force Taeron into a marriage that he does not want."
"What if Taeron chooses peace?" asked Dijana. Her heart would break if he rejected her, but Dijana understood that as crown prince, he had to consider the needs of Calabria, not just his own.
Lady Arora blew out her breath in exasperation. "Are you going to falter now, Dijana, after all you have risked in coming here." Standing, she went to put her hands on Dijana's shoulders and leaned down to look into her eyes. "You and I will be brave together, Dijana. I have no desire for this confrontation either, but the alternative is abhorrent. I will not sacrifice the happiness that you and Taeron can have to maintain a peace that will surely shatter anyway."
Dijana straightened and raised her chin. "Then I am willing to do whatever you ask, gracious lady."