Alien Paladin's Redemption - Mina Carter Page 0,16
sire, not at all.”
The emperor folded his arms and studied Nyek with an implacable gaze. Being one of the newest ships of the fleet, the technology aboard the Izal’vias was the best available, so Nyek could see every detail of the emperor’s appearance right down to the way his combat leathers creased and pulled over his heavily muscled arms as he moved.
It was like the male was actually in the room with him. There was none of the lag he’d seen when using the Tev’tolath’s system. Mind you, the freighter had been so old he was surprised it was still in service. It was of a type commissioned during his grandfather’s era and still ran the resupply routes. More or less. With plenty of stops for the many repairs and ad hoc maintenance it required to function.
“Good.” Whatever answer the emperor had been looking for in his intense study of Nyek, he appeared to have found it and nodded in approval. “You have been assigned as second to one of my kin. I am sure you are aware why...”
Nyek nodded and, when the silence stretched out between them, realized he was required to answer. Trall. For a moment he stood in silent debate wondering whether to answer politically, which was safer, or truthfully, which could potentially get him killed.
But his oath to the lady would not allow him to lie.
“You needed to assign someone to appease the growing number of dissenters in the court over your favoritism of the clan your litaan mated into,” he said bluntly, drawing from the knowledge imparted by the conversation between General M’rln and his CO earlier as well as his own research after his prayers earlier.
“Given that the S’Vaan clan are traditionalist, bordering on outright purist, my family name would assuage a lot of concerns that the throne has been corrupted by more forward-thinking clans. But given that I am Vesh and have excommunicated myself from my clan, there is no danger that you have assigned an active fanatic to a vessel that also contains human females. I am a safe bet,” he concluded, watching Daaynal’s face carefully. “A concession that is not a concession, but that you can hold up as an example that the throne is holding to the traditions and principles laid down by the lady herself.”
A smile broke over Daaynal’s face, and he rubbed at his beard. “Now your father said you were the runt of the litter, barely worthy of the blades he sent you out into the world with, but I am coming to the conclusion he is an idiot, unable to see the weapon he let go in his ignorance.”
Such praise, coming from the emperor himself, was completely unexpected, and for a moment Nyek stood there with his mouth open. “Err... thank you, Your Majesty.”
Daaynal chuckled at his obvious surprise. “Don’t think I’m blowing smoke up your ass just because I want something from you. I do... I want your loyalty and your vow you will die before you allow harm to come to those females aboard.”
Nyek inclined his head. “At your command, sire.”
“No,” Daaynal shook his head. “I don’t want to have to make it an imperial command. I want your vow before the goddess herself that you will keep them safe and away from harm. I want you to choose that path, not be ordered to take it.”
“I can make no vow above my service to the goddess,” Nyek answered automatically.
Silence stretched out in the conference room, and Nyek discovered the emperor had a gaze that could rival a liiraas for its intensity. Sweat beaded and slid down his spine.
“Besides, you would ask a traditionalist,” deliberately he avoided the word purist. That might be his father’s path but it did not, and never would, describe him. “To protect non-Lathar females? Females you intend to become mates for our warriors and dilute our bloodlines?”
“Yes.” The answer was short. Firm. Uncompromising. “Which is why I want your oath...” Daaynal’s gaze flickered down to the patterns inscribed on Nyek’s leathers. “Not as an imperial warrior but as a paladin of Liaanas that you will protect those females because, after all, does not the lady goddess hold all females in reverence?”
Nyek opened his mouth but no sound emerged. Then... “With all due respect, your Imperial Majesty, but you are an utter bastard.”
The sound of Daaynal’s laughter filled the room, making Danaar frown as the doors slid open to admit him. His dark gaze flicked between the emperor’s hologram and