9781939844057 Dragon of the Stars

Chapter One He had her in his sights. Excusing himself from the group of officers, Aden sized up his competition among those present for the Summer Solstice. Satisfied he rose above those gathered at the palace, he paused long enough to secure two green-tinted glasses of spirits before approaching the queen’s daughter. He caught her gaze as she surveyed the crowded room and presented his most charming smile. She smiled in return and gripped the edges of her dress. The layers of jade shimmered in the light, and she offered a nod. “Your Highness,” he said, bowing before Arabella. “Lt. Commander Pendar. I’m delighted to see you here tonight.” “It wouldn’t be proper for Duke Graham Pendar’s son to be absent from the celebrations.” Aden offered one of the slender glasses, its contents still bubbling. “Would Your Highness care for a drink?” “Thank you, Commander.” Her fingers brushed his as Arabella accepted the glass. Their softness was a welcome contrast to his calloused skin. Later those velvety hands would feel pleasant in his own when he enticed her to dance. Aden would not allow Duke Balderic or any other suitor the opportunity to steal Arabella, either. “Might I add, you look beautiful this evening,” he said. “You may,” she said, tendering a wink as she raised the glass to her lips. Aden took a drink, resisting the urge to knock back the contents in one swallow. The thin glasses were made for looks and did not hold a suitable amount of liquid. Alcohol always flowed in abundance at the palace, though. There would be countless such drinks this evening. His smile returned as she lowered her glass and gazed at him. Arabella tilted her head, sending a bobbling wave through the blonde curls that were pulled away from her face. “Walk with me,” she said. Gesturing for her to lead, Aden fell in step with Arabella. The queen’s youngest daughter still had her duties and needed to circle the room to greet guests. He possessed patience though. At least he’d caught her before anyone else. A path cleared for them as they wandered the room. Aden enjoyed the freedom of movement this offered, not to mention the attention they received in passing. The green and blue of royal attire and military uniforms swirled around them. Memories of visiting his father’s largest production plant stirred in his thoughts. The ocean around the facility rippled with kelp in a similar fashion, affecting a kaleidoscope of rich colors. This early in the evening, the press of bodies did not produce an odor to match the floating seaweed, for which he was grateful. He caught sight of his father deep in conversation with a Khanze diplomat. Attired in his race’s customary flowing yellow robes, the Khanze man stood out in the crowd. Not that he could hide his textured red face or reedy body. Can’t hide your Ceteroll addiction either, Aden thought as the man pulled a vial of pale green liquid from his robe and let three drops fall into his drink. If you’re negotiating a shipment from my father, you just lost your bargaining chip. Arabella spent a few minutes speaking with Count Grohom and his wife. While Aden was content to engage the couple in conversation, Duke Balderic held no such opinion. The husky man planted himself in plain view of Aden and Arabella, his scowl pulling his brows into one. The shag above his eyes matched the wild hair under his nose. “Your Highness,” he said in a voice that commanded attention. He bowed in haste as if to offset his tone, leaning hard on his walking stick. Out of the corner of Aden’s eye, he saw Arabella wrinkled her nose. “Duke Balderic,” she said, resting her hand on Aden’s arm. The man straightened his back. His look of confidence diminished when his gaze fell on the fingers wrapped around Aden’s forearm. “Lt. Commander Pendar,” said Grohom. The corner of his mouth twitched as Aden suppressed a chuckle. “Duke Balderic.” “Are you enjoying the festivities, Duke Balderic?” said Arabella. “Considering the current state of affairs, as much as can be expected. The Council would do well to focus on the crisis concerning Kavil.” “Among other things, they are working on the situation, Duke.” The man’s eyes narrowed. “With the Alliance denying our claim to the planet, it should be the sole item on their agenda. It appears the threat of military retaliation is not enough.” Aden’s muscles flexed as bile rose in his throat. “Hyrath’s military strength is not in question.” “Perhaps it should be questioned.” Snapping to attention, Aden prepared to give Balderic a piece of his mind. A gentle squeeze on his arm stayed his response. “Perhaps another time,” said Arabella, leaning against Aden. “Good evening, Duke Balderic.” Yielding to the pressure from the queen’s daughter, Aden allowed her to lead him away from the Duke. When they had placed some distance between them, he cursed under his breath. “That man is an ass!” Arabella patted his arm. “I’ll not argue.” As they worked the room, several others voiced concern over Kavil. The queen’s daughter repeated her assurance more than once. Her words were meant to soothe, but Aden suspected she knew little of what transpired within the Council. He could’ve offered more in depth answers, but Aden didn’t want to pull them into a longer conversation. He had other plans for the evening. The majority were Hyrathian, but representatives from four other races occupied the hall, despite trouble within the Alliance. Aden nodded at the diplomat from Biquentas, focusing on the man’s purple eyes rather than the ears that stretched to his shoulders. The race wasn’t the most unusual in terms of appearance, but their drooping appendages touched on the comical. I’m sure we look just as odd to you. On the far side of the room, Arabella paused. Aden turned to survey the gathering within the great room of the palace. Attendees clustered in pockets, heads drawn together in discussion. Music filled the air, resonating an echo as it struck the glass fixtures filling the chamber. It wasn’t enough to elevate the mood of the room to the level of past celebrations though. Arabella sighed. “I’m afraid the festivities are dampened this year by the business on Kavil. People are on edge.” “Everyone knows how important it is for us to acquire the raw materials on Kavil if our fleet is to continue to expand, Your Highness. Not to mention the Kargrandes’ untapped potential. We’d begun testing those creatures as an alternate power source when the Alliance intervened and halted our progress.” “I hear the Alliance’s protests have filtered to our own people.” “Only from the common folks,” Aden growled in disgust. “The military fully supports the Queen and the Council. We are at the ready should the need arise.” Arabella’s lips pulled up in a smirk. “You are more than willing to go to battle for Hyrath and her people?” “Once I have my command, nothing will stop me.” The queen’s daughter lifted her chin, her smile growing. Her reaction pleased Aden. She’d caught the double meaning in his words. That’s right, Your Highness. When I command my own ship, you will be mine. Balderic won’t stand a chance against my rank. The tempo of the music changed and Aden seized the moment. “Would you care to dance, Your Highness?” “Yes I would, Commander.” Aden placed their empty glasses on the tray of the nearest servant and escorted Arabella to the central floor. Bowing once, he took her hand and placed his palm on the small of her back. Assuming the lead, Aden moved them with grace around the other dancers. The shimmering glass lights cast a myriad of colors over the crowd. Tiny flecks of orange and yellow flickered across Arabella’s face. Aden kept his eyes locked with hers, drinking in her beauty as they danced. Ten years his junior, he hoped she would grow to possess the same elegant features as the Queen. Two weeks until my review. Then I will have both my command and your hand in marriage. The afternoon sun cast lazy shadows across the garden. If not for the breeze and the canopy overhead, sweat would be pouring off Aden. Even in his light dress shirt, the sizzling heat baked his skin. Aden finished his drink and eyed the empty glass. “I understand there were protests outside the palace this morning.” “A dozen people hardly constitutes a protest,” his father said. The Duke waved his finger and a servant filled Aden’s glass. “Fools don’t understand Kavil’s potential. The metals on that planet are in short supply on Hyrath. With only a fraction of the surface covered in water, it’s a great mining opportunity.” “Damage to the environment is but one of their issues. They’re more concerned about the creatures on the planet.” His father scoffed at the idea. “Those Kargrandes beasts are just that–mindless beasts. Hardly even qualify as an animal. But as a power source, they are invaluable. We could supply half of Hyrath with the energy they produce.” Aden lifted his glass and turned to gaze at his father. “You’re not worried an alternate power supply will cut into your profit?” “Energy is expensive to produce and nets the lowest profit,” said the Duke, his scowl causing his rounded features to resemble dried fruit. “Ceteroll is where the money is, Son. That drug is easier to cull from the sea kelp than energy. If I could convert even two plants to a hundred percent Ceteroll production, profits would quadruple. Regardless of the outcome with Kavil, I intend to switch to drug production at one plant that’s produced less and less profit from energy every year. Time to stop the bleeding.” “Ceteroll is in high demand right now,” Aden conceded. He took another sip of his wine. “Won’t too much production flood the market?” His father laughed and downed the contents of his glass in one gulp. “The price might dip a bit, but so will production costs, so it’s a wash. Besides, the Khanze are placing larger orders now. And we can make it more readily available for the common folks outside of medicinal purposes. That opens up a whole new market.” “I suppose it does.” “It will be your heritage, Aden. One day, your legacy.” The servant returned with more wine for his father. The distraction worked in Aden’s favor. Their conversations often turned to his decision to pursue a military career rather than focus on the family business. Graham Pendar wanted his son to understand everything about kelp harvesting so he could take over one day. And I will, thought Aden, downing the last of his wine. First give me a few years commanding my own ship. That’s the legacy I desire. Movement at the edge of the garden caught his attention. A regal woman stepped out of the solarium, a basket dangling from her fingers. Aden smiled as his mother strode toward a metal enclosure at the center of the main garden. Time to feed the tiny creatures occupying the cage. His mother preferred to handle the task herself. She did so love her pet dragons. “Father, if you will excuse me,” he said, setting his glass on the table, “I want to speak to Mother before I go.” “Leaving already?” “Yes, the Ryzell departs tomorrow morning and I have things to attend to tonight. Thank you for the company and the wine,” he said as he rose to his feet. “Well, at least you were able to attend the Summer Solstice celebrations,” his father said. The Duke wiggled his body further into the wide chair. “Your absence from such events is always noted.” Aden dipped his chin, ignoring the slight dig. “I know, Father. Duty calls, though. I will stay in contact. Good day.” He left the shade of the canopy and stepped into the scorching sun. Aden located the nearest path and entered the garden. His mother had reached the cage and petite dragon wings filled the enclosure with a flurry of activity. They understood feeding time. He approached, his boots grating the tiny pebbles of the path. His mother heard the sound and glanced over her shoulder, greeting Aden with a warm smile. “You really should give those little beasts their freedom,” he teased as he joined her outside the enclosure. His mother held out another tidbit. “Poor little beasties would die in the wild.” A dark green dragon landed in front of her, his claws curled around metal and wings splayed out against the wire mesh. Poking his head outside the enclosure, he took the bite from her fingers. Another landed next to him and tried to steal the meat from his jaws. A squabble ensued until Aden’s mother offered the newcomer his own piece. “That’s because you’ve spoiled them. They’d never fend on their own.” Aden didn’t begrudge his mother her hobby; it made her happy.