Page 8 of Touch the Stars (Ghara Empire #1)

Baatar.

H e willed his gaze to stay on the main view screen instead of the ever-present, persistent little human female. If she did not cease her incessant pacing, she would wear a rut into the entire length of the command center floor.

“It has been but five hours, Empress.” He pushed the words through his clenched teeth. “My answer remains the same. We are not chasing Syndicate pirates to find your sister.”

He had thirteen days left until he must deliver her to Ghara, and the trip to her planet…Earth…had only taken seven. If all continued to go well, he would be back on Ghara, and have completed his mission six days early. Then he could return to his family with their pardon secured.

“I’m not your empress .” She stomped by him yet again, heading toward the view screen at the front of the room. The slight breeze of her wake ruffled the hair on his arm. “Your grand emperor can go fu… find another heir.”

Still she denied her role, even though he had explained her importance to the empire. Things were not going well.

“How’d he get my name anyway?” She stared up at the image of the stars ahead, reflected on the main screen.

“The Ancient Ones are wise. They told him where you would be found.”

She made a huffing sound of sarcasm. “What? He couldn’t have kids of his own or something?”

“The imperial title is not hereditary, and no imperial leader may have children. They are celibate.”

“Excuse me?” She faced him, her eyes so wide open it was amazing her eyeballs did not fall out of her face. “You mean no sex ?”

“A child could be used as a political pawn to seize power.” Would she really risk the life of an innocent in this way?

“Well, I’ve got news for you and your old stooges—”

“Ancient Ones.”

“I want children some day!”

So do I .

Some day.

“Once we arrive on Ghara and your formal training begins, you will see that all of us will be your children. Your destiny will be fulfilling and rewarding in many ways.”

And after this mission ended, he would take a much-needed rest while basking in his family’s love.

He would certainly have earned some leisure time after so many days with her.

The empress’s attitude was difficult at best. She seemed determined to presume the worst of him.

The accusation that he was a flesh pirate still stung. Were all her people so…unreasonable?

The image of the uniformed, inconsequential human male came to the front of his thoughts. Guilt poked at his gut. He might not be a flesh pirate, but he had changed that male’s life. For good or for ill, but certainly forever.

He gave himself a mental shake. There was nothing he could do about that situation, other than pray one day he might have the chance to make amends.

For now, he would focus his attention on filling out the forms required for requesting his upcoming family leave.

Hopefully, General Tuuli’s approval would come through by the time he reached Ghara.

“Cruiser, present Undet grant of warrior’s temporary leave request on the read-screen.”

The small viewer attached to the arm of the command chair lit up. “Form displayed.”

“What’re you doing?” Kaitlyn appeared next to him.

He tapped his finger against the viewer’s screen. “Name: Warrior Baatar. Position: Captain of Defense Unit Three.”

His words appeared on the screen in the appropriate boxes.

Kaitlyn made an exasperated sound and leaned over the other arm, the soft curve of her breast brushing over his forearm. “What. Are. You. Doing. Butt-tar ?”

That was an odd way for her to pronounce his name. She must have an underlying accent that only came out with strong emotions, like frustration or anger.

“Filling out a time off request to visit my family after I deliver you to Ghara.” He clenched his teeth harder as her delicate, feminine scent assailed him.

“Lucky you. You’ll get to see your family again.” The bitterness in her tone was understandable, but she would see that what she was about to gain was priceless.

A new set of words materialized on the screen, requesting his next entries. “Status: Currently on active, class one mission in the name of the grand emperor. Request: Ten Undetan days of leave to attend to familial concerns, to commence upon my arrival on Ghara.”

That should be good enough for General Tuuli. As his superior, it was she who had relayed the grand emperor’s summons to him. She also understood better than most the stress the summons had brought. It was highly unlikely she would not approve his request.

He gave the screen a heavy finger tap to save and close the document. “Cruiser, send leave request to General Tuuli on planet Undet.”

“Complying.”

Thank the stars. He leaned back in his chair and Kaitlyn made a sound of disgust. Must she stand so close that her sweet scent all but clung to him?

“Communication transmission denied,” the cruiser reported.

What?

He pushed himself upright with an abrupt motion. “Explain.”

Kaitlyn gasped, tottered forward as if his movement had unbalanced her, then caught herself with one hand against his thigh. He reached out to steady her, but she shot him an annoyed look, then pulled away and took a step backward. Strange. Could she need more to eat already?

“The sending of unauthorized transmissions is forbidden,” the cruiser replied.

That made no sense. He transmitted updates to the emperor daily without incident, and had even spoken directly to the great one twice. “Define authorized transmissions.”

“Only transmissions to the grand emperor are authorized.”

Kaitlyn snorted a half-laugh. “Aw, poor little alien warrior. Looks like you’re as much of a hostage as I am.”

“You are not a hostage.” He met her gaze and raised one eyebrow. “And, your lack of sincerity has been noted, Empress.”

As had her pluck in speaking to him in such a manner. Did nothing intimidate her?

“Whatever.” She shrugged her shoulders. “All the excitement in here is just killing me. I need a nap.”

Ah, so she was tired, not hungry. “Very well.”

“I wasn’t asking for your permission, dumbass.”

“Of course not.”

“Fine.” She strode toward the door then stopped. “Nel. Tie.”

The wall wavered as it transformed, and she shot a triumphant smirk over her shoulder before proceeding through.

The corners of his mouth twitched with suppressed amusement.

She had no idea yet that he had reprogrammed the ship’s system to respond to her English Earth word “open.” Despite their current impasse, it had pleased him to do this small thing to help ease her transition into her new life. Even if she was ungrateful.

He leaned back in the command chair. So, the future empress had two names.

Kaitlyn and Bergh. How unfortunate her planet did not have enough unique, individual names for all their people.

There had been Baatars before him, and there would be more after him.

It was a good, strong name. A fitting name, as it meant “dark warrior.” His parents had chosen well.

What were the meanings of Kaitlyn’s names?

It would not matter once she assumed her imperial duties and relinquished all her given names for the Gharan Empire’s most glorious and humble title.

Still, the question tickled his curiosity.

Perhaps once her anger over not searching for her sister had abated, she would enlighten him.

If her anger abated. Her love for her sister was as strong as the love he bore for his brother.

Technically, they had a few spare days to track the Bajiki freighter, but that would not aid her in accepting and embracing her responsibilities. It was his duty to be her first guide on this journey. To help make her transition smooth…like an emissary of peace.

He breathed out a soft, pleased harrumph. Emissary of Peace. Yes, those words clarified his role quite well. He already honored her by using her soon-to-be title, but there were other things he could do to help her adjust.

It might take every day of the journey to Ghara for her to realize this, and he was the warrior for the job. But, did he really want to use the full thirteen days left to him when he could be back on Ghara in about half that time?

Decisions, decisions.