Tiva Boon: Heir of Abennelp (Tiva Boon Series Book 2) Read online

He smiled and shook his head. “Sorry. It’s not going to be easy. We can’t protect you on this mission, you’ll be on your own.”

  “I see,” she answered. The captain looked down at her and she nodded.

  “After you are through reviewing the d-data on that chip, you will have to go see Doctor Hino. He’s g-going to insert a long range tracking device under your skin.” Aries handed her another small device. It was black, triangular, and fit in her palm. “This will send us an emergency signal, in case you r-run into more trouble than you can handle.”

  Tiva nodded and took the device then slipped it into her belt.

  “Once you leave the Tolox we will have you on the radar, we won’t be as near to your location as we would like, but at least one of our ships will be less than a day away at any given time.”

  “Do you want to talk this over more before you decide?” Captain Maar asked.

  “I will take the assignment.”

  “You understand that t-this is not an order, that you are doing this of y-your own free will, and will be at risk for injury.” Aries stared at her.

  “Yes.”

  “You are aware that if you are uncovered as a member of Vexillum it is possible you may die?”

  “I am.”

  “And do you…”

  “Mr. Aries,” Tiva interrupted. “If you have read my file you know that I have been trained to be a soldier, a protector, a warrior if you like. I know the dangers. I understand the risk. I will take the assignment.”

  Camway Aries’ eyes fluttered slightly. He turned to Maar and began laughing. Tiva remained stolid when Captain Maar grinned at her. “I told you she would be perfect for the job.”

  “And you were c-correct. The Tolox will be your primary back up. We will inform the senior staff while you visit with Doctor Hino. Do you have a-any other questions, Tiva Boon?” Aries sat back down, fiddling with his uniform.

  “Not at this time. Once I review the full mission brief I may ask for more details,” she replied.

  “Good, don’t spend all day on it, we should be at Ovvella base by shift end. I want you to relax a bit, maybe take a trip to Xatlonia before you depart. And that’s not a request, Chief.”

  “Very well, Captain Maar.” She bowed slightly to both and exited the office. Sensing both their delight at the situation was easy enough, though something weighed heavily on the captain’s mind.

  Doctor Hino completed the minor surgery to implant the tacking device. She picked her left shoulder, and was quite surprised to find no scarring or indication that she had a chip under her skin. Not in the mood for casual talk, Tiva thanked Hino and called the security teams to meet her for an update.

  By the time she returned to her room, half the shift day was over. Outside her window, the Union escort ships surrounded the Tolox to ensure its safe return to Ovvella Base.

  After checking the computer for an update on Neola’s space ship image and finding nothing that matched, Tiva headed to her bedroom to change and wash up. Several of Adam’s feathers were scattered on the sheets and floor. She couldn’t help but smile.

  Quickly cleaning the collection of feathers, Tiva undressed and slipped into the shower. Again, she checked her shoulder, amazed that the implant was invisible. As she washed her hair, her mind began to wander. Scenarios and ideas filtered through her head, and by the time she realized she ought to be in the command center for her shift, her fingers were pruned; an hour passed.

  Lifting the wrist-comm to her lips, she called for the captain.

  “Maar speaking, what is it Chief?”

  “I am through reviewing the mission information, do you require me on duty?”

  “That isn’t necessary, we are docking at Ovvella in less than three hours. You’re off duty, make plans for some fun.”

  “Yes, sir.” She frowned and fell back on her bed. Tiva didn’t enjoy stretching the truth, but felt it was necessary. She’d been so occupied with getting things in order before her covert mission, she had completely lost track of time. It was times like these she missed Gigs terribly. At least the AI had kept her on schedule.

  Before wrapping herself up in a soft towel, she brushed and braided her hair, then sat down at her desk to begin the true review of the mission details. The chip Aries gave her contained all the information he had mentioned, and various bits of incidental data she would need.

  She read over the data until her vision began to blur. Ovvella Base was in the distance, and the general mood around the ship was happier than it had been in months. Taking a break, Tiva retrieved her old uniform from the bottom drawer of her vanity. If she were to convince whoever crossed her path she was alone and bringing the craft back to where it belonged, she knew she couldn’t wear the Union uniform. Clothing from Base or Uucor was recognizable, the one thing she could do was mend her guardian uniform and wear it. Not since her first day aboard had she even looked at it. The pain was still too close to the surface, but she pushed it back and kept it at bay.

  Unraveling the fabric, she lifted the tunic to see the tattered cloth she once wore proudly. The guardian patch gone, the toggles destroyed or missing, holes the size of wounds she was lucky to survive filled the arms and back. When she lifted the pants, she noticed an odd weight. Surprised, she stood up and held the pants full length. The right bottom leg drooped; something was latched on to it.

  Tiva grabbed the cuff and felt the fabric. “By the spirits!” Quickly, she turned the clothing inside out, and a smile lit her face upon seeing her father’s dagger caught in the hem of the pants. She retrieved the weapon from its entanglement and sat back down on her bed laughing. The sheath was missing, but the blade was still in good shape. She had the dagger on the king’s ship, but when Harai brought her belongings, she didn’t think to check her clothing for hidden weapons as her Timbur was more valuable at the time.

  Jumping off the bed, she took out a small stone from her drawer and began sharpening the blade, smiling the entire time. Knowing she needed a sheath, she sent a quick message to Adam’s room to call her when he returned, and hoped he had something that would fit.

  Once all the claws of the Timbur and the dagger were up to her specifications, she mended the larger holes in her uniform. Leaving several of them for appearance, she checked her work thinking she did a decent job. Unable to match the toggles, she replaced them with buttons from another outfit. She placed a stray piece of fabric on each shoulder, only to cover the missing guardian patch, and steamed it clean before hanging it to dry.

  Her heart sank. She spent all her childhood dreaming and praying for the chance to wear the uniform. When she finally did, she wanted more. She wanted the highest honor a guardian could have, elite protector. Now, she was the secret, unprepared, and reluctant heir to the throne; blood-leader of the people of Abennelp.

  The chime on her door echoed through the room tearing her from her somber thoughts. She placed the dagger on the bed and went to answer the door.

  “Looking sharp, Tiva.” Adam grinned when the door opened. Tiva looked down and felt her markings blush.

  “I was preoccupied…” She stepped aside to allow him entrance. He found his way to the couch, and flared his wings before sitting. “Let me change, I will be right back.”

  “Don’t change on my account…”

  “I wish to have your opinion,” she said as she entered her bedroom and tossed the towel aside. “I am sure you heard about the newest mission.”

  “Yes, I have,” he replied.

  She fastened the pants in place and pulled the tunic over her head. “What did the captain say to the crew?”

  “That we’ll be supporting a ‘special ops’ mission remotely while studying some new star grids gathered by the Union.”

  Returning to the living area, she met his eyes. “Adam, I am going on the mission.”

  “What?”

  “Captain Maar and the new crew commander Camway Aries asked me to take the assignment.”

  “Who’s doing wha
t now? Camwho? Why you? How come you didn’t discuss this with me first?”

  “I did not think I had to…”

  “Tiva, don’t you think it’s too soon to be going off on your own to some strange part of the galaxy…into enemy territory no less?” Rubbing his thumb against the middle of her palm, he sighed then met her eyes. “You told me those Rebels won’t stop looking for you. God knows what they did to you, you won’t even tell me. If you go on this mission alone, I can’t be there with you. What if they find you again?”

  “Adam,” she said softly and touched his cheek. “This is something I need to do for the Union, this crew. They have done so much for me. I will be fine, the Syndicate knows nothing of Abennelp, and they are not looking for me.”

  “Tiva…” She pressed her finger against his lips for a moment, but he continued. “You have to be careful, really careful, m’lady. I wish I could let you take Cala with you, but she’s too big to hide.”

  “Yes, she is, but thank you for the offer. I do need a sheath for my dagger, however. I just found it in my belongings…” She grinned and pulled Adam into her room to show him the weapon. “I thought I lost it, along with my sword, but it was caught in the hem of this uniform.”

  “This is what you wore as a Guardian?”

  “Yes, though this rag has seen better days. I thought it best to use some type of clothing less likely to be noticed, and this was all I had.”

  “You still have some holes…” he said, sticking his finger in one near her waist and tickling. “Though that’s not such a bad thing.”

  “Adam!” She jumped back and laughed. “I mended the larger ones, can you tell?” Tiva spun around slowly glancing at her pants.

  “Looks fine to me. You seem very comfortable in that outfit.”

  “At one point in my life it was all I wanted to wear. Now, I will just use it as part of my act.” She sighed and sat down on the bed. Adam followed and wrapped a wing around her shoulder. Leaning into him, she laced her fingers in his and closed her eyes. “I confess though, I am worried.”

  “About the assignment? Then maybe you shouldn’t do it.”

  “It is not just this…other things as well. Mostly, I do not want to leave you all here while we are in the midst of this war.”

  “We’re not fighting now, in fact, we’re supposed to be on vacation for the next day or two. Captain’s orders…bet he did it on purpose knowing how I’d be when I found out you’d be taking this job.” He sighed. “I guess I can’t do anything about it now…so, how about we hit the beach.”

  “Hitting sand will only cause…” she paused. “An expression, correct?”

  “Yep, you can swim a little, we’ll go flying for real, get some sun, and relax.”

  “It sounds wonderful, should we make arrangements?”

  “All taken care of, m’lady.” He grinned.

  “Did you know I was going to say yes?”

  “I had an idea,” he chuckled.

  “Then why did you ask me?” She rolled her eyes.

  “Don’t look at me in that tone of voice,” he said and began tickling her again.

  “Adam stop!” She squirmed and attempted to break from his grasp. Suddenly both wings surrounded her and he tackled her back on the bed. She locked her legs around his and twisted trying to knock him loose. His hands continued to tickle her hips, waist, and neck. Though, internally she was glad he had not found her…

  I heard that. Cala said. You’re in trouble now.

  Cala, no! Do not help him!

  Before she could finish, Adam’s fingers began tickling the back of her knees. She continued to laugh and thrash about within his powerful arms. As she twisted, he moved with her. When she pushed away, he clutched her tighter.

  “Say uncle,” Adam demanded.

  “What does my relative have—” she burst out with laughter as his hand found the back of her other knee. “Adam, please stop!”

  “Give up, say uncle, surrender.” He pulled her up, and wrapped his arms around her stomach, spun her, and pinned her to the bed. She looked into his eyes and the laughter vanished from the air. Tiva was helpless in his arms, but felt safe and loved. She exaggerated panting her breath and stopped struggling. Adam’s wings flared up behind him and he snickered. He leaned back slightly, loosening his grip on her. “Do you give up?”

  “I have given up my heart to you, Adam,” she said softly and seriously as she gazed into his eyes. He stopped for a moment, and she grinned. “But I will not forfeit this match just yet!” She lifted a leg, caught him by the neck, and pushed him backward to his obvious surprise. His wing quickly retracted as he fell sideways against the bed. Still within his grasp, she struggled until she broke free, jumped on him, and they both fell to the floor. Sparing no second, Tiva kicked him back, grabbed his arms, and pinned him this time.

  “I win.”

  She rolled her eyes. “You always say that despite the fact that I bested you.”

  “If you bested me, then how come I’ve got a pretty girl on top of me? Okay, then.” His wings encircled her and drew her close. “Besides, enough tickling and more kissing.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Captain Maar held one final meeting with the crew, introducing Aries to the rest of them before ordering everyone off ship. Emerala and Raife were first to leave Base followed by Aliri and Ewan. Most of Tiva’s security staff decided to stay on, wanting to utilize the new VR programs and a new survival training lead by one of the Ambassadors.

  Despite the Union being on alert, most of the people on base went about their business. It was curious to see the normalcy when the last few months on board the Tolox had been one fight after another with the constant paranoia of impending attacks. She was not worried though. Xatlonia was the best guarded planet in the Union. With Ovvella Base so near, the strongest and fastest ships were constantly on patrol or in orbit of both. It was a safe haven for the people of the Vexillum.

  Tiva did extra research before leaving the ship, and was satisfied that several hundred warning buoys were scattered around the outer perimeter of Ovvella and Xatlonia space.

  She needed to relax knowing the mission ahead. Adam hired a private escort flyer to bring them to a secluded beach on the southern side of Xatlonia. Far away from the hotel and beaches she’d visited. The first thing they did when they got there was go separate ways. Tiva needed to swim and Adam wanted to fly. She spent the better part of early morning in the water then ran along the beach for a while. The serenity surrounding her calmed her more than the swim or run itself. There was no vibration of engines, no gunfire, cannon fire, enemies or fighting. As she lay on the sand soaking up the warmth of the sun, the constant thoughts in her head began to quiet. Her body was relaxed and her spirits were up.

  When she met Adam back at their room, which he called a cabana, a young Bayo woman was exiting. Tiva entered through the beach side seeing the cart of foods left behind.

  “Room service.”

  “Pardon?”

  “One of the benefits of resorts, hotels, and such. You order some food and they prepare it for you then bring it right up.”

  “Seems lazy.”

  Adam chuckled. “I like to call it well-deserved pampering.” He motioned to the table and pulled out a chair for her. “How was your swim?”

  “It was nice, thank you. And did you enjoy soaring the skies?”

  “Always.” He grinned and pulled the cart closer before sitting across from her. When he opened the silver cover, all types of foods filled the tray. Small finger sandwiches, vegetables, cake and lots of it, chicken, ribs, pasta, and something he called tacos. “The ribs and tacos might be a little heavy for you, but I think you’ll like the rest.”

  “Thank you, it looks wonderful. I see you ordered a few cakes, plan on eating them all tonight?”

  “No, one is for breakfast.”

  She laughed and put a little bit of everything onto her plate, and thanked Adam as he poured her a class of juice. “Do we
have an agenda for tonight and tomorrow?”

  “I thought we could just play it by ear…you know, improvise and be spontaneous.”

  “Yes, I know. I am growing accustomed to your expressions…”

  “Nifty, I knew you would eventually.”

  They talked during their meal about her pending mission, and Adam offered several good ideas for fooling the enemy should she be uncovered. The more they discussed it, the less anxious she felt. Having his insight into the situation was exactly what she needed to overcome her cautious thoughts. He had done his own share of missions in his lifetime, so his advice was sage. Obviously, he wanted her prepared, so he continued talking until their legs went numb from sitting.

  After they cleaned up, Tiva changed out of her bathing suit and robe, and put on a tank top and shorts that Aliri lent her.

  Spending the day with Adam away from the rest of the crew and the ship was a joy she couldn’t put into words. It seemed as if— for a moment—that war didn’t exist.

  Adam taught her a game called tennis, took her flying as the sun set, and to a dance in a nearby hotel’s ballroom. Instead of room service for dinner, he took her to a restaurant on the far side of Xatlonia. On the way out, she noticed a few Vexillum uniforms in the distance. She opened her senses to see if trouble was brewing, but the feelings surrounding them were cheerful and calm. Everyone was enjoying their time planetside.

  ~*~

  Tiva sat on the edge of the terrace that led to the beach as Adam slept quietly behind her. They spent most of the evening talking or in companionable silence. The pale blue moon hanging in the sky was a beautiful sight, but not the one she longed for. She knew deep inside where she wanted to be, but feared what the collision of her two realities would do to her people. Knowing all she did, could she go back to her old life?

  As her feet dug into the sand, she felt Cala speak softly. Sleeping is good for you, you know. It keeps you sane.

  I have been sleeping, Cala. I am just full of energy. The nature here is so alive, I cannot help but absorb it. Though I enjoyed falling asleep in Adam’s arms the other night, I do not wish to disturb him now, he looks peaceful.