A Forest of Stars - Kevin J. Anderson [240]
She ran faster than she ever had, and when she reached the boundary wires, she saw the guards dragging the limp green form of her mother toward one of the laboratory barracks. Under the bright light, she saw a blossom of brilliant scarlet blood on the hairless green scalp.
She sensed no thoughts from her mother, nothing at all.
Osira’h screamed and tried to scramble through a narrow gap in the fence wires, but the pursuing guard grabbed her. The girl whirled on him. “What did they do? Why did you hurt her?”
“She attempted to escape,” said the guard as the others continued to drag the woman’s body off into the shadows. “The Designate warned us what she might do. Nira Khali is a threat.”
“A threat to what?” Osira’h demanded.
“A threat to everything.”
When Nira was gone, the little girl felt only a void where the woman’s presence had been, an emptiness, a loss. But Osira’h had already stored every thought that was her mother in her own mind and heart, and she also knew the dangers she would face if Designate Udru’h or anyone else learned what she had discovered.
She had to keep her secrets, until she could decide what to do, until she had learned more.
The girl had just met her mother for the first time, and now she had to say goodbye. Her mother, a stranger, had given her more than life. She had awakened the truth in Osira’h, exposed the lies of her mentors. Could so many things she had learned—the facts of her very existence—really be lies?
Osira’h let her grief seep out of her and quickly hid her emotions behind childish prattle. “I wanted to ask her why her skin was so green and strange,” she said, looking up at the bestial face of the guard as he sternly walked her back to the residence. “That was all.”
“Do not concern yourself about it.”
Thank you, Mother, she thought. Thank you for everything.
Though she wore the body of a six-year-old girl, Osira’h carried vast amounts of knowledge and maturity within her brain. She was stronger now, propped up by secrets and schemes, but many of them were her own.
As the guard marched her back to the Designate’s residence, thoughts whirled behind her eyes. Osira’h did not want to hate the Dobro Designate, but the knowledge of all that he’d done to Nira was now firmly planted in her mind. And a seed of anger took root and began to sprout.
124
KING PETER
Much to the surprise and gratification of the twittering protocol ministers, King Peter seemed to take a very personal interest in the honeymoon parade. In truth, after Estarra had told him her suspicions about the royal yacht and shared Sarein’s veiled warnings, Peter had decided to play along—and keep his eyes open.
With Estarra on his arm and OX following dutifully beside them, the King made a slow procession toward the maintenance docks well before the scheduled departure time. The protocol ministers quickly gathered media representatives, who were delighted with the unexpected publicity opportunity. The King and Queen smiled at them, doing everything they asked, being extraordinarily cooperative.
Peter didn’t think it would be enough to assuage Basil, though. The damage had already been done.
The docks and corridors and sidewalks had been swept clean, every wall polished. Even the other boats in the maintenance hangars gleamed. Pink and white peonies floated on the water, scented with heady perfume.
The King kept a calm smile on his face. The workers and palace personnel seemed giddy with his appreciation. Queen Estarra waved at the people while snuggling close to Peter. They both played the part of young starry-eyed newlyweds…
The night before, they had made love with even more passion and affection than before. He had kissed her cheek, her lightly closed eyelids, with genuine surprise at what he was feeling, and an unexpected sensation of relief. He whispered so close to Estarra’s ear that his very words were like gentle kisses. “Ever since I was kidnapped and brought to the WhisperPalace, I’ve always been suspicious. I had no choice but to doubt everyone who claimed to be my friend.