Of Stars and Secrets

Chapter 6

6

For the next three days, Aiden had made himself scarce. He varied his workout routine and hours in the Holograph Room, took his meals either alone in his quarters or at some establishment in the city, and even went so far as to reschedule meetings with committees, all in the hopes of avoiding his mother and her plans. He was feeling rather successful about thwarting her efforts to force him to meet with her and finalize decisions about the wedding, but his comfort fled on the fourth evening. Whistling quietly as he left the Media Room for his quarters, where he planned to change before meeting a mechanic at the hangar at the port, he got no further than the Communications Hall when eight Royal Guards set upon him.

Aiden didn’t think anything of the two as they walked toward him. When they refused to move aside, and instead stood directly in front of him, his first thought was treason. He shifted his weight to the balls of his feet, ready to take down the guards, or those posing as such, when he sensed someone behind him. A step to the left only brought him up against the handle of a laser. Aiden looked behind him and relaxed. Two, maybe three, he could take into a fair fight, but not eight. He recognized one of the guards.

“What is the meaning of this?” he showed no fear, only annoyance as his fists clenched.

“The Queen seeks your audience,” the guard replied simply.

“Well, she can’t have it. Inform her you were unable to locate the Prince.”

“But that would land him in a cell and cost him his service position. Isn’t that correct, Randall?” Queen Ceily coyly spoke from behind Aiden.

He sighed and hung his head.

“Thank you, Randall. You and your men are dismissed, unless my son decides to complicate the situation by running away,” she said, allowing Aiden to determine the outcome of his fair capture.

A slight shake of his head, and Ceily motioned with her hand. Randall nodded, and the guards stepped away from the Prince and moved down the corridor.

Aiden turned to face his mother. “How did they know where to find me?”

“They didn’t. I gave the orders thirty-six hours ago. I commend you on not being found when you didn’t want to be. But I don’t understand why you have been avoiding me.” Ceily clasped her fingers and rested her hands in front of her.

“I’m not avoiding you. Only the plans you’re determined to make.” Aiden crossed his arms in front of his chest.

Ceily raised her brows. “And were it not for my determination, how would you expect this event to take place? These plans were begun twenty-three years ago. Charlotte and I have been attempting to handle the details, but, by the Source, Aiden, this is your ceremony and your future and I will not have some incident mar the occasion simply because you ‘didn’t feel like dealing with the plans.’”

Her voice had risen in volume and taken on a hard edge. The flush on her face told the little boy inside Aiden that he had pushed too far. But the man he had become would not be manipulated by a mother’s censure. He drew his brows together, prepared to defend himself.

“Now. We can discuss this in a more private place, or we could continue to put on a show for whoever happens by.” She held his gaze, and her ground.

A group of domestics rounded the corner. One was carrying a tray from the Dining Hall, two others held bins of what appeared to be linens, and a fourth stared openly at Aiden and the Queen standing toe to toe in the middle of the corridor. Aiden growled and walked the few strides to the doorway that led to his chambers. He placed his palm on the scanner, then stepped aside, gesturing with a flourish for his mother to precede him into his rooms.

Ceily nodded slightly and walked through the doorway. Aiden followed her, and the door shut out the prying eyes of the servants. His mother seated herself on one end of the sofa and arranged her gown around her legs. She looked around and noticed he had left on the screen that took up one whole wall of his sitting room. It flashed with news and communication split into several smaller screens. Aiden followed her glance, and with a command, turned off the wall monitor.

She gave a slight smile in thanks, then said, “Aiden, please, I didn’t request Randall locate you so I could argue with you. Why don’t you sit down?”

Aiden put his hands in the pockets of his trousers and held her gaze.

“Very well. I’ve sent you a list of items of which I wanted you to handle the details. Have you completed them?”

“The man charged with compiling my outfit for the ceremony has my measurements. I see no reason to contact him the three times you suggested. He might think I don’t trust him or his skill.”

Ceily waved that away. “He wants to be sure the fit is as you like it.”

“I’m not going through a growth spurt. The fit will be fine. And I have not made any plans for the… honeymoon. I thought my bride might have an opinion.”

“That’s very considerate, Aiden. And the rest?”

“I’ve handed the security detail to Marcus—”

“If I had wanted Marcus to be in charge, I would have added it to his list,” she interrupted.

“Marcus has his own list? By the Source, Mother—” he stopped when the flush returned to her face and her eyes narrowed. He cleared his throat and tried again. “It is because I trust Marcus with my life that I asked him to see to the security details. I, of course, will give the final approval. When I asked for his assistance, he mentioned nothing about his own… obligations for the event.”

“If Marcus made no objections, then I see no problem with him assisting you.”

Aiden sighed before he continued. “Rooms have been assigned for guests. Those of the visiting Royal Family will stay here in the palace. Other dignitaries are having rooms reserved in the city.”

“And which of your friends did you foist this responsibility upon?”

Looking down at the thick carpet in front of his feet, he mumbled, “Claire.”

“The woman who served with you in the Air Force?” At Aiden’s nod, she smiled. “Wise choice.”

Aiden looked up at her with brows raised in question. Ceily got to her feet and came to stand before her son, a soft smile on her lips. She placed a hand on his cheek and softened her gaze.

“Dearest One, you have learned a great deal. When to delegate responsibilities, which associate you can trust to follow through on tasks. And when not to waste your time.”

“You mean this whole list ordeal was an exercise?” he asked her in disbelief.

“More like an exam. And you passed brilliantly. Extra credit for the consideration of the opinions of your bride. That will save you from many misunderstandings in your relationship. However, points will be deducted for Randall’s efforts to locate you. By avoiding obligations, you will only create difficult situations.”

Aiden smiled slightly and leaned over to kiss Ceily’s cheek. She smiled more brightly at him and stepped back.

“We have guests arriving in three days,” she informed him.

“Who? Why so soon?” Aiden tried to tamp down the rising panic.

“Charlotte, the Empress of Suma, and I, thought you’d like to meet the Princess before the ceremony.”

Aiden’s eyes grew bright. He may not be in love with the Princess before the vows were taken, but at least he could see her, talk to her. Some of the panic slipped away. He should have thought to ask, or demand, they spend some time together before the interplanetary event.

“An incredible idea. But I don’t know if all will be in place in three days.”

“Let Claire know. She’ll make sure all is as it should be.”

At Aiden’s nod, Ceily stepped around him toward the door. “I have my own… list to attend to. Will I see you at the morning meal?” she asked and turned halfway around to look at him before leaving the room.

“I don’t see why not,” Aiden answered with a smile.

Ceily inclined her head, then stepped into the corridor.

Aiden blinked at the closed door, then threw his head back and laughed. Moving to the place his mother had just vacated, he sank onto the cushion and shook his head, still chuckling. He stretched out across the sofa, placing one hand behind his head, the other over his middle, as he stared up at the ceiling. Mother is a master manipulator, he thought. He closed his eyes and attempted to visualize what features the Princess might possess and topics they would discuss. He created her as meek, soft-spoken, and agreeable. Trying to picture the two of them years into the future, he frowned. He would be bored. But he didn’t know how to picture her differently. Isn’t the perfect Princess gentle, submissive, and in need of protection? A scowl of confusion crossed his face as he dozed off, knowing he had time before his meeting at the port.