Royal Recruit - Susan Grant Page 0,74

a delicate disposition.”

“Telling her lies won’t help her. It puts her, you and the entire Coalition in danger.”

“Coming from your isolated world, you can’t understand my reasons.”

“Try me,” Jared said dryly.

“What you see as major happenings are but small incidents in what is an epic struggle between good and evil. My decisions are driven by my responsibility to my people. To the queen’s people. Did you know that the line of Sakkara began on the Drakken worlds? They fled after being threatened with extermination by warlords who feared their power. Even after millennia of forced conversions, believers continue to worship in secret in the Empire—at terrible personal risk.” He lowered his voice. “Just as Drakken sympathizers live in our midst. If sometimes my actions don’t make sense, then see what it’s like trying to steer your society toward some semblance of a future while being dragged in opposite directions by the lusting of overaggressive militaries. Ours and theirs.”

Grudgingly, Jared said, “That does clarify a few things.” What color is his chess piece now, Jasper? “But I want that blood test redone. Someone is lying about the results.”

“Or someone is lying about their virility.”

“Don’t go there, Rissallen.”

The man leaned across the table. “I know about Earth.”

Jared hoped the flash of fear in his gut didn’t appear in his eyes. “What’s there to know?”

“Do not play the part of a fool. You have no space fleet. No battle force. You tricked us.”

Tension thickened the air.

“Thus, it would be wise to give up this particular battle if you want to see your home world safe.”

“Are you threatening me, Prime Minister?”

“I’m making a deal with you because I like you. Stop your push for investigations, cease digging around in business that isn’t yours, and I’ll keep our acquisition force away from your very defenseless planet Earth.”

If Jared thought the freight train of his life had jumped the track, it was now speeding straight for a concrete wall. All he had to do was say yes and Earth would be safe. One simple word in exchange for seven billion lives.

But what about Keira and her people? Traitors had hijacked her government. If he turned away from the fight for truth, she’d remain a helpless pawn in a game played by those without scruples. Billions more could die if it came down to war. He couldn’t abandon her out of fear.

Yet, the memory of his vow to Cavin haunted him. “I won’t let you down. I won’t let Earth down.”

To whom did he owe his loyalty now? His home, his family? Or to the woman he loved yet had known for such a short time?

Both.

In that moment, certainty steeled him. For the first time since arriving here, he saw the true measure of his sacrifice: to save Earth, he’d have to save the Coalition first.

“No deal,” he told Rissallen. “The investigations must continue.”

“Please, take your time with your decision.”

“I’ve taken all the time I need.”

Rissallen reached for a decanter of clear liquid. “Time is our friend. Impulsiveness is our enemy.” He slid the decanter and two heavy crystal glasses between them, pouring two drinks. He offered Jared one and lifted the other. “A toast,” he said. “To achieving a meeting of the minds.”

With a fingertip, Jared glowered as he pushed the shot glass away. “No thanks.”

Rissallen lifted a brow. “Please, it is our custom. Plus, a little bit of snowbell liqueur will relax you.”

Snowbell liqueur was Keira’s favorite. “At the risk of sounding paranoid—go on, you first.”

Rissallen switched their glasses. Jared shook his head. “That’s the oldest trick in the book.”

Rissallen took a small taste of each glass, wiping both with a cloth before handing it back to him. “I’m still alive,” he said. “Here. Choose one. I’m honestly not trying to poison you. I don’t know why I would. Things are unstable enough in the Coalition without my adding to it.”

“True…” Instability emboldened the Drakken and made it easier for them to plan to take Keira. Again, Jared scrutinized the “chess piece” sitting across the table, wondering where Rissallen’s loyalty lay. Just because he’d threatened Earth didn’t mean he was willing to cut a ruthless deal with the Drakken Empire. Or did it?

Jared chose a drink at random. Rissallen emptied his glass, exhaling in appreciation as he swallowed. Jared followed suit, tossing the liqueur into his mouth. He held it there, savoring the tart-sweet flavor before letting it burn its way down his throat. It warmed him almost immediately.

“Another?” Rissallen asked.

Jared shook his head. “No,