Scattered Suns - Kevin J. Anderson [60]
Estarra’s dark eyes grew large with obvious pleasure. “I’m glad you remember so much about us.”
Jora’h gave her a warm smile. How could he ever forget, after being so touched by the green priest and her tales? As Prime Designate, he had taken countless lovers, sired numerous offspring, interbred with many different Ildiran kiths—but none had been like her.
He did not allow his expression to change as he continued to stare at Estarra, who seemed embarrassed by so much attention. She threaded her arm through Peter’s, and Jora’h saw the sparkle in her brown eyes, the obvious and genuine love they shared. Like the love he had shared with Nira.
Estarra’s expression was wistful. “The hydrogues have done terrible damage to my worldforest. They killed both of my brothers, and my sisters are there now, trying to help.”
“I am deeply sorry.” For many things.
Still so many secrets, so many false stories. The humans knew only part of the truth. His father had set numerous schemes in motion, established alliances that could easily result in the destruction of Earth and its myriad colonies. And as Mage-Imperator, Jora’h’s highest obligation was to protect the Empire at all costs.
When Osira’h finally brought the hydrogues to him—if she survived the ordeal—what sort of deal would he be forced to make? How many sacrifices would the Ildirans have to accept? Would the humans have to pay?
He glanced at Estarra again, his smoky topaz eyes reflecting the light. “We must all face our tragedies and prepare ourselves to bear unexpected burdens.”
Around them, a crowd of smooth-skinned servant kithmen rushed about at a frenetic pace. They set up low tables in the reception hall and covered them with plates, bowls of treats, decorative flowers; others carried musical instruments or strung colorful banners. A troupe of performers entered from side passages. Jora’h looked up, suddenly remembering the extravagant scheduled entertainment—another distraction, another stressful duty.
At least the King and Queen would be gone within a day, called back to Earth by their own pressing matters. Then he could concentrate once more on holding the Empire together.
Chapter 27—OSIRA’H
The trinary system of Durris comprised three of the seven prominent suns in the Ildiran sky. Osira’h thought the star grouping looked beautiful, unlike anything she had seen at home on Dobro.
As their fast ship approached the center of the Empire, though, the girl could see that one of the suns was doomed.
Durris was composed of a white star and a yellow star tied closely together, and a red dwarf orbiting the mutual center of mass. The unstable celestial configuration had long ago ejected all large planets from the system, leaving only a halo of rubble on the outer fringes. Few Ildirans had any reason to go to Durris, except en route to someplace else.
Flying past, Osira’h and the Dobro Designate discovered that the trinary’s yellow star was aswarm with clashing hydrogue warglobes and faeros fireballs. Judging by the flares and dark spots across the sun’s photosphere, the titanic battle had already dealt the star a mortal blow. One of the seven suns of Ildira was going to die!
“Sound an alarm,” Udru’h called to the pilot of their ship. “Send a message to inform the Mage-Imperator of what we have seen!”
As the pilot flew past Durris-B, Osira’h joined her uncle at a viewing window. She did not know what the great Mage-Imperator could do against such a disaster, but she kept her silence.
She stared with glittering eyes at the swarms of alien ships locked in titanic and incomprehensible battle, where the very fabric of the universe was a battlefield. Flares ripped through the roiling photosphere, followed by a blinding armada of ellipsoid faeros ships that collided with a thousand diamond-hulled warglobes in the sea of flames.
Osira’h clenched her small hands. No matter what