Yeah, she couldn't reconcile the rumors she'd heard with the man who'd risked one hell of a charmed life to jump into that deadly hole and calmly rescue her sister. She'd been expecting the kind of spoiled shit who whined over a hangnail and demanded three days of leave until it healed.
She was still contemplating that thought five hours later when she finally made it to the hospital to check on Alura.
Their other four sisters were already there, hovering and gossiping outside the room while their parents visited inside.
"So ... you met the visir...." Ashley's voice was grating in its probing, teasing tone. Much taller than her, Ash had their mother's light brown hair and vibrant blue eyes.
Ember growled at her. "What do you know?"
"Is that Ember?"
She peeked through the cracked door to see Alura sitting up in the bed. "Yeah, babe, it's me."
Even though it was against hospital regulations, Alura waved her in so that she could take her hand. Her dark blond hair was covered with a bandage, and her face was a bit scuffed, but only Alura could look that attractive in a surgical headdress and wearing bruises.
"Did you get his number?" she asked excitedly.
Wow ... can't even ask if I'm okay after I saved your worthless ass ...
Thanks, sis. Love you, too.
Ember scowled at her sister and her weird concern given the near-death experience they'd just gone through. Given the number of casualties they'd lost in the bombing. She, alone, would be attending the funerals of seven good friends. Two of them had been school and playmates both she and Alura had known the whole of their childhoods. "His?"
"The visir! Didn't you hear what he said? He invited me to his palace at North Beach!"
Ember choked as she passed an annoyed smirk to their parents. "That's not exactly what the man said. The invitation was for you and your boyfriend."
"I don't have a boyfriend...." She gave their mother a sneaky, calculated wink. "Yet."
And the self-serving harita was off and running ...
Fury cut through Ember so fast that she was grateful her sister was in a hospital bed. It was the only thing that saved Alura, since Ember was still raw over the fact that Alura had been the one her ex had been in her bed with when she'd come home from maneuvers.
That betrayal and rage still burned her to the bone.
And Alura's excuse? That she'd done it for Ember's own good. After all, Ember didn't need to be with someone who would cheat on her with her own sister.
Yeah ... Let's hear it for Alura logic.
Ember crossed her arms over her chest. "Don't get too excited. He's already asked me out and I accepted." A slight lie, but she fully intended to accept his offer now.
Just for spite.
Alura's jaw dropped. "You? Don't be silly, Lu-Lu. You know as well as I do that he didn't mean it. Besides, I'm going to marry the visir. You'll see."
Oh, yeah ... her sister's ego was second only to Bastien's. And she'd had enough of Alura thinking she owned the universe and could take anything she wanted. She wasn't all that and a bag of friggles.
Ember cleared her throat. "I think Bastien has something to say about that."
"Ember." Her mother's tone was sharp with warning. "We almost lost Alura today. Why don't you go outside and wait with your sisters?"
"Fine." Take her side. Her mom was good at that. Her father, too. It was what had made Alura so hard to deal with. If ever someone had been born more spoiled than Bastien--Alura would be her name. Why their parents had chosen to dote on that brat, no one knew.
Of course, their parents denied it. They didn't see it. Laughably, they thought themselves fair and impartial.
Yeah, right. As if.
The rest of them had always known that in any dispute Alura won and they had to apologize and give the baby what she wanted. It was sickening, but there was nothing she could do. So she headed for the hallway and the sanity of her sisters who knew the bitter truth.
But before Ember could evac the room, Alura was already off and running with her plans for how she intended to rope the unsuspecting prince in for a wedding.
Wanting to sock her where she lay, Ember entered the hallway and almost walked into her eldest sister, Kindel.
Her sister tsked at her fury as she tucked a strand of her riotous, dark curly hair behind her ear. "Simmer down, Em. Not like the playboy's going to settle down with anyone, anytime soon."
She growled at the patronizing tone. "Aren't all of you sick of her doing this?"
With a shrug, Brandy snorted. "What difference does it make? Not like you're going to date him, anyway. You already told me how much you hate the aristos."
Before Ember could respond, Bastien's link rang in her pocket, as if he had a sixth sense that he was their topic of conversation and sought to interrupt them.
Without a word to her sisters, she stepped away and answered it. "Major Wyldestarrin."
"Hey, Major, this is Cabarro. Wanted to check in and see how you're doing. Make sure you weren't hurt in the additional runs. And that your sister pulled through. Is the rest of your family safe? You need anything?"
It was a sad state of affairs when an aristo had better manners and heart than her useless sister. "All good. You?"
"Bored out of my mind."
She found that hard to believe. "What? No adoring fans?"
Laughing at her question, he sent over a request for a video feed.
Ember accepted, expecting to find him with a packed ward full of admirers. To her shock, he scanned the sterile hospital room to show her that he was there all alone.
Not even a guard kept him company.
"I can tell by your expression, not what you were expecting." Bastien turned the camera back on his features, which were scraped and bruised from his injuries, but still stunning. Even more so because he'd gotten them while doing her a favor. "You should probably never gamble with no better poker face than that, Major. Your opponent would clean house."
She felt heat sting her cheeks at his teasing. "Sorry. I just assumed you'd be surrounded by groupies and family."
"Yeah ... no. My sa's giving an address to the people after the bombing to reassure them and allay their fears, while the rest of my family is running around tonight stomping out other fires over it. And my oda's at a rally for the families of the soldiers we lost to raise funds and aid for them--which is where I'd be if the damn doctor would release me. Or I'd be at the barracks."
She scoffed before she could stop herself.
"Hey, now!" he said, offended. "Believe it or not, I spend most of my nights in the barracks with my squadron. You can check my tracer logs and see. The vast majority of those stories you hear about me in the news feeds are complete fiction. A handful of the wilder ones notwithstanding--and those I proudly own up to, and will be more than happy to tell you all about. And show you the pictures that are too risque for prime time." He rubbed at his eyebrow. "Anyway, so what about that dinner?"
Leaning against the wall, Ember scowled as she tried to understand this strange enigma who was talking to her for reasons she couldn't even begin to fathom. While she wasn't a ghastly goat of a human being, she was a far cry from Alura's great statuesque beauty and she knew it.
At five-six, she was average height for a Kirovarian woman. And many a potential dating prospect had commented on the fact that she was a bit more muscular than she ought to be and tended to walk like she was going to war, armed for the Andarion Ring. Her only remarkable feature came from her father--a pair of sharp, penetrating green eyes. Sadly, most guys never noticed those. Except to say that the intensity of her gaze made their nuts and guts shrivel.
Though to be honest, she doubted if anyone or anything could ever intimidate Bastien. Indeed, he seemed to have an ego smelted from titanium.
"Why are you asking me out, Cabarro?"
That devilish grin warmed her a lot more than she wanted it to. There was something about this man that was way too delectable. She c
ould easily see him charming her pants right off her. "You think I'm a spoiled asshole. I strangely find that admirable in a woman. Shows you're a good judge of character. I like that even more."
She laughed. "You're ridiculous."
"Ah c'mon," he teased. "You're Gyron Force ... I'm Gyron Force. We both think I'm ridiculous. We got so much in common already."
Scoffing, she shook her head at him. "We are nothing alike, Your Highness."
"Fine, Major. Have it your way. But my sa's about three and a half seconds from declaring war on a neighboring empire. What if this is the end of our world as we know it? What if everything you cherish perishes tomorrow? Wouldn't you like to say that you got to date a visir, just once, before it all goes to hell?"
Damn, he was a lot more endearing than he needed to be. And it wasn't because he had a title. He was just an affable ass. That alone would serve to get him into all kinds of trouble. Along with those incredibly handsome features and that edible physique. It was the most dangerous combination ever created and she could see herself getting into all kinds of trouble.
Every instinct she possessed told her to run as fast as she could in the opposite direction.
Then she made the mistake of looking at his sweet face.
Yeah, he was lethal.
And she was done for.
"Fine. One date. But only because of your sadir and his war."
He winked at her. "Hey, I'll take that yes any way I can get it. Just don't break my heart, Major. It's a terribly fragile thing."
Ember snorted at the very idea of that. "I find that hard to believe."
"Don't. I might be spoiled with sociopathic tendencies, but I'm never insincere." And with that, he signed off.
Ember froze as she realized that all four of her sisters were gaping at her. Worse? They'd heard every single word of her exchange with Bastien.
That sobered her humor fast. "What?"
Ashley scoffed. "What do you think you're doing? You can't even be contemplating a date with him. Are you out of your mind? Alura will kill you!"
"Why did you say yes to going out with that reprobate?" Brandy stood with arms akimbo.
Ember's gaze went back to where Alura sat laughing with their parents, and an image of her in bed with Syrin went through her mind. In that moment, she knew exactly why she'd accepted his invitation.
"Simple. This is war."
CHAPTER 1
ONE YEAR LATER
"Are you going to tell Bastien?"
Ember paused at Kindel's question that would have ruined her appetite for the lunch they were supposed to be having had Bastien's father not already done so an hour ago.
Her throat tightened as she blinked back tears she didn't want her sister to see, lest she be motivated to do something that could get them both arrested. "No, definitely not, and the last thing I could ever tell him is that his father's threatening to disinherit him."
"Why not?"
"First, it'd kill him to know that. He loves and respects his father. Second, you know the man. Bas would go off, half-cocked and confront his father, then all hell would unleash and who knows how that would play out." She envisioned everything from Bastien shooting his father to him eloping with her and then growing to hate her years from now once he realized what all he'd given up to marry her.
No matter the scenario, they all ended with them miserable. And with Bastien hating her for coming between him and his family.
"I don't know what to do."
"Do you love him?"
"More than my life." Ember bit her lip as a single tear slid past her control. Gah! This would be so easy if she was the gold-digging bitch his family thought she was.
Then she could let go and not look back. Or marry him and not give a single shit what they thought. Because what his father didn't know was that Bastien had already told her how much money he'd inherit on his wedding day. He didn't need his father's inheritance. Or approval. His grandparents had all left him with a staggering amount of property and creds. The unbelievable mass of wealth stymied her best mathematical abilities to comprehend.
But the money didn't matter to her any more than it did to Bastien. Since she'd never had that kind of wealth, she couldn't wrap her head around it.
Besides, it was his, not hers. All she cared about was Bastien. Not his titles. And no amount of cred could replace his thoughtfulness or unique views. The way he could brighten her day by simply entering a room. Make her smile with nothing more than a wink and that devilish grin that made her want to rip his clothes off and hold him for eternity.
How could she give that up?
Angry that she couldn't stop her stupid, useless emotions, she wiped the tear away and drew a ragged breath. "Love can't survive bitterness, zusi. You know that better than anyone."
It was why Kindel was single. The love of her life had given up a command position to stay with her. Three years later, he'd been so angry over it as he never had another opportunity for advancement, that it'd torn their relationship apart. To this day, Justiss wouldn't even look at Kindel.
Ember didn't want that to be Bastien. The thought of his hating her ...
That was the only thing unbearable.
"What am I going to do?"
Kindel took her hand and smiled sadly. "I don't know, Em. I screwed up my life. Last thing I want to do is screw up yours."
She snorted. "Not helpful."
Her link buzzed.
Ember started to ignore it, until she saw Bastien's avatar. That goofy photo he'd made as a joke and programmed into her link a few weeks ago.
This way everyone will know what a total jack-off you date and a reminder to you that no one else will have me and my weirdness. So you never have to worry about me cheating or straying. I know the best when I see it and no one's better than my girl.
Trying not to laugh at the memory, she picked it up and answered.
"Hey, lovely."
Ember scowled as she heard something that sounded like blaster fire in the background. "Where are you?"
"Um ... nowhere. Just wanted to say that I love you."
"Are you under attack?"
He hissed in her ear, then made a noise that sounded like he was straining.
"Bas?"
"Yeah ... sorry. I, uh, I'm having a little trouble hearing you."
Over blaster fire! "Oh my God! You're in a firefight?"
"Little bit."
"Are you pinned?"
The longest pause of her life crackled in her ear before he finally answered. "Don't worry, Em. I'll be home tonight. Just wanted to hear your voice."
Her heart sank as she saw the news on a nearby monitor. It showed the attack he was in. The royal envoy his father was supposed to be in had come under Eudoran fire. But at the last minute his father had sent Bastien and Quin instead.
At the last minute ...
"Bastien," she breathed. "I love you. No matter what happens, please don't ever forget that."
"I won't." He cut the line.
Ember's hand shook as his father's words echoed in her mind. No ... it wasn't possible.
"Em? What is it?"
Swallowing her panic, she jerked her chin toward the monitor. "That's Bastien in that mess."
Kindel cursed. "You want to scramble?"
Yes, but she had more to think about at the moment and she knew for a fact that Bastien could hold his own. "Kin? Can I ask you something?"
She sat back down with a frown. "Sure."
Ember took a moment to gather her swirling thoughts before she spoke the horror that she struggled to comprehend. "Bastien's father intimated that he'd rather see Bastien dead than married to a pleb." She cut another terrified glance to the monitor. "You don't think he would have done that today on purpose, do you?"
Kindel was now as pale as she was. "Oh God, Em ... I don't know. I'd like to think no parent could even contemplate such a thing."
"But?"
"They're aristos and not us."
A
nd that was what she was afraid of. His father had warned her that Bastien intended to propose, and that if he did so, there would be consequences most dire. Consequences that would guarantee her no happy ending.
The only way she wouldn't be happy was if something happened to Bastien.
Like death.
She finally breathed again as Bastien and his brother emerged from the building on the monitor. Their clothes were ruffled and Bastien had dirt smeared across one cheek, but his hazel eyes were light as he assured the reporters they were fine.
This time.
"I can't marry him, Kindel." Not if it meant his life.
"He won't give up without a fight."
"I know," she choked. "But I'd rather he learn to hate me than know that I selfishly cost him his life or his family."
"Em--"
"Don't," she said, cutting Kindel off before she could talk her out of this. "It's what has to be done. Not just for him, but for all of us. At least he gave me a part of himself he's never given anyone else." Something his family couldn't take from her. Especially since they didn't know about it.
Yet even the very thought of being without him tore her apart.
At least he's alive this way.
Better he live with someone else than marry her and die because of it.
That's the lie I'm going to force myself to live with.
*
"What the minsid hell is this?" Bastien stared at the transfer orders on his link in total disbelief.
Blocking his access to the barracks where up until an hour ago he'd lived with Ember, the lance corporal turned bright red as she cleared her throat. The petite brunette handed him his tactical bag that someone else had packed with his uniforms, Gyron Force axe, and other personal items he didn't want to think about. "Sorry, Captain. Thought you knew. Orders came through first thing this morning while you were out on PT. You've been reassigned to Bletch Division."
You've got to be kidding me ...
Gaping at the bullshit, he moved his gaze from her to the two MPs behind her as if she needed backup. Like he'd ever take his frustration out on a lower-ranking soldier.
That wasn't his style. If he was going to assault anyone, it would be someone who had the authority and means to fight back, and stand a good chance at kicking his ass.
Someone like his sister whom he suspected of having done this shit to get even with him for proposing to Ember last night. And why not? Lil had been furious that he'd asked their mother for their grandmother's ring. Furious that he'd dared to even contemplate placing such a precious Kirovarian heirloom on the hand of a lowborn pleb. Lillian had been shrieking at him for days over it.