Testing Truth (Cyborg Space Exploration #6) - Cynthia Sax Page 0,54
whispered that into Nancy’s right ear, his voice stimulatingly deep, his tone suggestive. “I want to lay you on the ground and lick you all over.”
“Tidying up.” She glanced up at him. “And other things will occur later. One must meet with the queen as one is.” Nancy lifted her chin and followed Claude.
She attempted to appear as regal as possible. That might offset her disheveled appearance.
Her cyborg moved with her, his hand remaining on the small of her back.
Marthe darted around her, plucking at her gown, tucking her hair into its fasteners, removing as much grime as she could. The older female muttered about her reputation and royal embarrassments and losing her role as royal dresser to a princess.
That would never happen. Marthe was her mother. Nancy could never replace her.
The efforts Marthe made must not have been enough to offset her state. The guards stationed at the queen’s private working chambers gaped at Nancy as she approached them.
“Remond, Renard.” Nancy dipped her head as she addressed them. “One had a refreshing stroll outside the palace grounds.”
The two males held the doors open for her.
“The princess is daring and kind, a credit to Royaume.” Remond spoke for both of them. “We are honored to serve Her Royal Highness.”
“A princess should not address the guards.” The queen’s private secretary sniffed.
“This princess addresses anyone one wishes.” Nancy no longer followed other beings’ rules. Her gaze shifted to Truth. He had given her the confidence to do that.
Her chaos-loving cyborg winked at her. He approved of her minor rebellion.
The queen’s private secretary, the king, and the queen were the only beings in the chamber. Nancy stiffened. Whatever they planned to say to her couldn’t be good.
The queen turned. Her gaze swept Nancy’s form from head to toe and back again. “One wishes to meet with the princess alone.”
The queen’s expression was blank. Only her eyes reflected her disapproval.
“Anything said to this princess can be said to the beings in this chamber.” Nancy wouldn’t allow the ruler to separate them.
“One is your queen.” The female who gave birth to her glared at Valentin. “You will follow Your Majesty’s command.”
“If they leave, we leave.” Nancy refused to back down.
The queen stared at her.
Nancy stared back. She wouldn’t be intimidated by the female, not any more.
“The support of Royaumes will benefit one for merely a short duration.” The queen confirmed her private secretary’s previously relayed observations.
Nancy’s popularity had placed her in a position of strength. She had power.
“One should be cautious.” The ruler’s tone was edged with warning.
It was a warning Nancy would ignore.
One shouldn’t be cautious. Her cyborg had taught her that.
“Royaume’s princess is forming an alliance with the cyborgs.” That alliance would be with one specific cyborg. “They can give Royaume the military support it needs, ensuring it is never again controlled by enemy forces.”
“We saw the footage, researched your cyborg.” The queen wrinkled her nose at Truth. “An alliance with a cyborg ruler would be strong. An alliance with this Truth being is weak. He’s no one. He doesn’t even command the ship he serves on.”
“He’s not no one.” A rumble of anger rose in Nancy’s chest. She stepped forward.
Her cyborg, the male the queen dared to dismiss, caught her wrist, stopping her from punching out the female, an act that would have gotten them both executed. “Your queen is right. I don’t command the ship I serve on.” He looked at Royaume’s ruler. “Which planet would you like me to rule?”
The queen blinked.
Nancy had never seen anyone shock the female…before now. Truth, her cyborg, had managed to accomplish that impossible task.
“Tell me which planet you’d like me to rule and I’ll rule it.” He linked his fingers with Nancy’s. “Do the beings residing on that planet have to remain alive or can I kill them all? Killing them all would be much more fun.”
“Technically, the prince can rule an unoccupied planet.” Valentin offered that insight. “The prince doesn’t have to kill anyone.”
“The prince.” Both Nancy and Truth repeated those two words. They sounded good on her lips.
“This prince enjoys killing.” Truth’s eyes sparkled with humor. “As one’s brethren would wish to participate in the battles also, one should choose a sufficiently occupied planet…like Voisine 5.”
The queen’s private secretary gasped. Voisine 5 was the planet Royaume considered to be its strongest ally. They had formed a similar agreement with the Humanoid Alliance to save themselves.
Nancy wondered if one of their princes had also been traded for peace.