Jovan grinned. “Goodbye, Niece. And good luck, Chief Braxis.”
Braxis blinked in surprise and bowed. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
The screen went dark.
I let out a breath. “That's one down.”
“Who isn't in love with you?” Braxis grumbled as he stepped up beside me and gave me an annoyed look.
“Altern is not in love with me,” I protested. “He just has a little crush. It's probably because I saved his life.”
“Him too?” Braxis asked in surprise.
I nodded and said flippantly, “Yep, I'm not exactly a temptress so I have to resort to more unconventional means of seducing men. It worked with Malik too.”
Braxis snorted as he started typing again. “A lesser man would feel emasculated by it.”
“I'm sorry but did you just compliment Malik?” I asked in horror.
Braxis laughed. “I suppose I did.”
“Well, save that stuff for when you see him.” I grimaced. “You're going to need it.”
“I think armor would serve me better,” he muttered.
“It wouldn't hurt,” I said dryly.
“There.” Braxis stepped back. “The call is connecting with Starsiene Castle.” He took a deep breath, gave me a heavy look, and stepped out of view.
So, Braxis was fine facing the Triari King but not the Bleiten one? Interesting. Or maybe it was simple prudence.
“You are using a line of communication from a stolen...” the man who had appeared on the screen trailed off when he saw me. “Are you... are you Princess Amaranthine?”
“Yes, and I need to speak to my father, if you please.”
“Yes, Your Majesty! Uh, I mean, Your Highness,” the man stammered.
“I'm a queen as well, majesty is fine,” I said gently.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” He bowed in his seat. “One moment.” He typed frantically and then leaned aside to speak into a separate microphone, “Your Majesty, I have Princess Amaranthine for you.” The man straightened and rubbed at his earpiece as if it had pained him. “Yes, my king. Yes, she appears unharmed. Yes, immediately, Sire!” The man flipped a switch and looked back at me. “King Lucifer will speak with you now, Your Highness.”
The man's image shifted into that of another man who looked so much like my Bleiten husband that it made my heart hurt. Lucifer wasn't wearing his crown or any fancy clothes, just a simple tunic, trousers, and leather belt. He had dark circles under his brown eyes and his broad shoulders were bunched. He wasn't sitting either but instead stood before the monitor, leaning onto the table that held it, propped on his fists.
His expression fell into relief and his whole body drooped when he saw me. “Amara,” he whispered. Then, in a stronger voice, he asked, “Daughter, you're safe?”
“I am. I'm fine but we need to talk.”
Lucifer let out a short breath and sat back in a chair. “I can only imagine. Did you kill them all, child? Are you adrift without the knowledge of how to pilot the ship? I can send—”
“What?” I asked in surprise, cutting him off.
“You're calling me from Malik's stolen ship,” he pointed out. “The only way that's possible is if Braxis and his men are dead. Did Malik find you? Is he there?”
“No.” I glanced at Braxis and then back at him. “I'm still with Braxis.”
Lucifer's face went grim. “Is he forcing you to bargain with me?” He straightened, his shoulders going tense again. “What are his demands this time?”
“Lucifer, please, just listen,” I asked gently.
