"Like all women in love," she said, still speaking directly to Tal, "I saw only your face in front of me, not the faces of those to whom I had a duty. Oh, I kept insisting someone on Psyclid must learn to fight, but clearly I gave up my rights to Psyclid long ago. I'd like to say some grand psychic ability told me my fate lay elsewhere, but the truth is, it was simply love. If you will have me, I gladly renounce my rights and will stand by your side through whatever is yet to come."
"Rigel?"
Tal stepped forward and took his place beside Kass, speaking to her alone. I never wanted you to give up everything for me.
You did. Why should I not do the same?
They turned from each other to face Ryal and Jalaine, shoulder to shoulder.
"Know all ye present," King Ryal intoned, "that Blue Moon is ceded to my elder daughter, L'ira Faelle Maedan Orlondami, as her personal recompense for giving up her rights to the Psyclid throne."
Kass gasped. Tal squeezed her hand. Together, they bowed their thanks. Queen Jalaine removed a filmy scarf the shade of Blue Moon's mist from around her shoulders and draped it over her free-flowing auburn hair, assuming her role as high priestess of Psyclid. Kass swallowed hard, clenching her fists at her sides. This could not be real, she'd fallen into one of her fantasies.
But a glance over her mother's shoulder revealed Anton Stagg and Joss Quint, rifles still at the ready, though their customarily expressionless faces had cracked into avid fascination with the scene before them.
Real. This was real. "L'ira," Jalaine was saying, "I know this is not the wedding a young woman sees in her dreams. And, Talryn, I regret you have no family present, but it is our hope you may one day renew your vows with members of the House of Rigel, as well as the House of Orlondami, observing with pride and joy. And now, with the permission of the king?"-Ryal offered a regal nod-"we will begin. You will kneel."
In spite of her mother's efforts to ease the shock of this sudden wedding, Kass felt a twinge as they knelt on the rug before Jalaine. Her wedding day, and they were wearing guerrilla black! A petty quibble, she knew. What did it matter as long as she was marrying Tal? But someday, Kass promised herself, they'd find a way to fulfill K'kadi's vision.
From under her eyelashes Kass glanced at the man she had loved for so long, at the strength of his face, the determined set to his jaw. And finally she fully understood his sacrifice. For her, Tal Rigel had given up the world he grew up in, its comforts, privileges, and advancements. And at last she was taking the final step in doing the same, giving up her right to be Psyclid's ParaPrime and queen.
With every word Jalaine intoned, she and Tal were moving into a world of their own making. An uncertain world . . . yet Kass's heart was warm, her soul sang.
"Talryn Joffre, will you have this woman to be your wife, to love and cherish through good and ill, through joy, pain, and the everyday trials of life . . ."
"L'ira Faelle, will you have this man to be your husband, to love and cherish . . . as long as you both shall live?"
"I will."
Jalaine lifted their clasped hands, enclosing them in hers. "Then may the goddess bless you and Omnovah look favorably upon you both. Go forth as husband and wife, being kind to each other, and doing good for others as the responsibilities of your position demand."
Kass caught an appreciative gleam in Tal's eyes as he recognized that her mother was improvising a bit on the traditional Psyclid wedding ceremony.
"You may kiss the bride."
Now there was a part of the ancient ritual that was never omitted! Kass's amusement was cut short as Tal pulled her to her feet, wrapped her in his arms, and soundly kissed her to the accompaniment of general chuckles and applause, punctuated by a squeal of joy from M'lani.
"Might I remind you that we're in the midst of the enemy," Jagan drawled, at his most acerbic. "We don't need guards pounding on the door, wondering about the party in here."
And just like that, Tal Rigel transformed into S'sorrokan. She should be used to it by now, but . . .
"Our apologies," he was saying to Ryal and Jalaine, "but we've stayed far longer than planned. Do you then agree to Mondragon's plan to organize Psyclid's talents?"
King Ryal frowned. "I still have grave reservations, but"-he glanced at his queen, a silent communication passing between them-"neither we nor our people wish to continue living as prisoners in our own homes. Therefore, as much as it worries us, we accept Jagan's plan as the only apparent means by which we may be ourselves again. Living the Psyclid way, in peace and bothering no one."
"Papa?"
"Speak, L'ira."
"You should know that Jagan, K'kadi, and I have already used our skills in combat. They have proved most effective. They are, in fact, the only reason we are here. K'kadi keeps our shuttle invisible, I brought us over the wall, while Jagan allows us to walk the palace and grounds undetected."
Ryal's blue-green eyes flashed. His benign features turned grim. "You have brought K'kadi into your rebellion?"
"He brought himself, sir," Tal interjected. "He serves well and with enthusiasm."
"He has killed?" If her father were a dragon, Kass thought, he'd be snorting fire.
"No, sir, but I have," she told him. "Rebellions are not bloodless."
Jalaine gasped, Ryal turned his face away.
Jagan's voice cut through the sudden silence. "And more will die before Psyclid is free, both Regs and our own. It is the price we must pay."
"My goal is to find a compromise," Tal said, standing tall, every inch the rebel leader. Kass's heart, already bubbling with love, brimmed over. "A way between a peace so complete a country cannot defend itself and a militant form of government that lives only to conquer. I will do this. But I need the help of Psyclid's hidden assets to do it. When we take back Psyclid, the battle will only have just begun. I will need Psyclid's special talents for years to come."
"All my children," Ryal said hoarsely. "While my queen and I live in comfort and dine on delicacies, you risk them all."
"Not M'lani," Kass countered.
"Yes, M'lani!" her sister declared. "You don't think Papa's going to let Jagan loose on the populace without someone in the family to keep an eye on him."
Fizzet! How could she have been so blind? Of course M'lani's offer to wed Jagan would include her being set to keep him in line. Kass wasn't sure which one she felt most sorry for. M'lani would pay a high price for taking on the responsibilities her sister had just given up.
"We need to go," Tal urged. To Ryal and Jalaine, he added, "You may expect Mondragon's return as soon as we've finalized the plan." He bowed, only to find his father-in-law's hand outstretched. Kass sighed. They were doing it again, exchanging one of those superior, knowing male looks as they shook hands. Reality struck. Dear goddess, what had she done? She'd always thought to come home one day, that all this would be hers.
An ancient and honored text popped into her mind. Whither thou goest . . .
Tal and Kass. As long as they both should live.
This was it, then. Good-bye. But surely not for another eight years . . .
Kass threw herself into a hug with her mother, then M'lani. Her father. Fiercely, Ryal hugged her back. Gently, but firmly, Tal drew her away. They were leaving. Don't think. Do your job, don't think. Anton and Joss took up their positions at each end of the line, and the five of them were into the passage, Jagan's shield closing around them.
Back through a maze of corridors, up and over the wall, across the short open space to the woods. Not so much as a murmur from the guards or a squeal from the ring of electronic sensors. Kass allowed herself a small smile of triumph as they entered the shelter of the forest's dense foliage. No matter her churning personal emotions, they'd done it. They'd penetrated Regulon security without so much as a single glitch. And accomplished so much more than she'd anticipated. Great goddess, she was married! And no longer the Princess Royal.
She felt the loss, she wouldn't deny it. But what she'd gained was so much more. She hoped Tal knew that-
A hiss, an abrupt hand signal from Jagan stopped all five in their tracks. Kass's wandering thoughts thudded back to reality. If she hadn't let her mind wander, she would have felt it when Jagan did. Power. All around them. Psyclid power, bless the goddess, not the click of P-11s going hot, but there was no doubt they were no longer alone.
Chapter 37
"Show yourselves," Jagan said softly, keeping his head high, their invisibility cloak firmly in place.
"What's going on?" Tal whispered in Kass's ear. She shushed him with a wave of her hand.