Double Helix 06_ The First Virtue - Michael Jan Friedman [1]
“You need not inquire,” Tae Cwan informed him. “I will give you the insight you want.”
The emperor leaned forward on his throne, his features severe and impassive. But his eyes, as dark as his sister’s, flickered with what seemed like indignation.
“I do not wish you to be part of the royal family,” he told Thul. “Certainly, you have been a dedicated and efficient servant who has made considerable contributions to the Empire. However, there is also something dangerous about you-something I do not entirely trust.”
The governor’s teeth ground together, but he said nothing. After all, it was he who had requested Tae Cwan’s response.
“Beyond that,” said the emperor, “you are well inferior to my sister in station … a former military man, unworthy of the royal family. No doubt, she would be willing to overlook this difference now. But in time, she would come to see it as a problem, as I do.”
Mella averted her eyes, her brow creased with disappointment. But like Thul, she was forced to keep her emotions in check.
“These are my reasons for disallowing your request,” Tae Cwan finished. “I assume I have made my decision clear.”
“Eminently,” said the governor, though he felt something twist inside him as he said it. “And though I have not been granted my request, I remain grateful for the audience, as befits a loyal servant of the Empire. May you continue to reign in splendor, Emperor.”
Tae Cwan inclined his head, his eyes sharp and alert, though the rest of his features were in repose. “Go in peace, Gerrid Thul.”
The governor cast a last, wistful glance at the Lady Mella. But with her brother’s pronouncement still hanging in the air, she didn’t dare return it.
Thul cursed inwardly. As his wife, the woman would have brought him immeasurable power and prestige-more than enough for him to overlook his lack of attraction to her. But with a few words, the emperor had taken away that dream of power and prestige.
Enduring his loss-one that was no less painful for his never having had the thing to begin with-the governor inclined his head a third time. Then he turned and followed the length of blue carpet to the doors and made his exit.
But as soon as the doors closed behind him and he was left alone in the hallway outside, Gerrid Thul turned and glowered in the direction of Tae Cwan. Emperor though he might be, the governor reflected bitterly, he had gone too far this time.
He had humiliated one of his most determined servants-one who had risked much and accomplished much on behalf of the Empire both as a soldier and as a politician. He had told Thul in no uncertain terms that he would never be more than what he was-the administrator of a far-flung outpost.
The governor swore again. Maybe he couldn’t ascend to power by marrying the Lady Mella, but he was still no beast of burden to wallow in self-pity. He was intelligent. He was resourceful. And he was every bit as Thallonian as the feared Tae Cwan.
For some time now, Thul had toyed with an alternative to marrying the Lady Mella-one that would allow him to enjoy the prominence he craved without the need to seek the emperor’s blessing. With his first option closed to him, the second came to the fore in his mind.
And the more he thought about it-the more he considered how badly he had been treated by Tae Cwan-the more inclined he was to pursue it.
Chapter One
THUL ENTERED THE REGGANA CITY tavern by one of its several revolving doors, his Thallonian commoner’s clothes and attached hood uncomfortably rough against his skin.
The place was loud with jangling music and crowded with a surprising number of aliens. Squinting to see through the dim lighting and the acch’ta smoke, he took a look around.
At first, he couldn’t find the one he was looking for. Then he heard a familiar laugh and traced it to its owner-a tall, lean Thallonian youth with an antic sparkle in his eyes and a mouth that seemed ready to break into a grin at any moment. He had clearly had too much to drink.
His companion was an Indarrhi