Epilogue

EPILOGUE

G arek strode through the gleaming corridors of the Tharvisian palace, his normally impassive face creased with worry. The data pad in his hand felt unnaturally heavy, its contents weighing on him like a physical burden. He'd read the report three times now, hoping against hope that he'd misunderstood, but the words remained unchanged.

Lady Venus Arison. Missing. Possible abduction. He'd just sent Vex and Raelee off on their honeymoon and this popped up. He wasn't looking forward to telling her intended about it.

His footsteps echoed off the polished floors as he quickened his pace. The palace staff, sensing his urgency, scrambled to get out of his way. Garek barely noticed them. His mind raced, considering and discarding plans of action with dizzying speed.

As he approached Azlun's quarters, Garek forced himself to take a deep breath. He needed to be calm, collected. It wouldn't do to panic the Crown Prince's brother, especially not Azlun. The man was a powder keg at the best of times.

Garek raised his hand to knock, but before his knuckles could make contact, the door slid open. Azlun stood there, his imposing frame filling the doorway.

"Garek," Azlun's deep voice rumbled, his black eyes narrowing. "What's happened?"

Garek blinked, momentarily thrown off balance. Sometimes he forgot how perceptive Azlun could be. "My lord," he began, his voice carefully neutral. "I'm afraid I have some... concerning news."

Azlun's jaw tightened. He stepped back, wordlessly inviting Garek into his chambers. The room was furnished with items from cultures across the galaxy. Proof of his diplomatic prowess with all species and races across the universe. The man could speak twenty languages and understood thirty more.

"Well?" Azlun prompted.

Garek steeled himself. "It's Lady Venus, my lord. She went to see her sister off at the spaceport, and... she hasn't returned. Our initial reports suggest she may have been taken."

The temperature in the room seemed to drop several degrees. Azlun's eyes, usually as dark as the void of space, now glowed with an inner fire. His hands clenched at his sides, and Garek could see the faint shimmer of energy crackling around his fists.

"Taken?" Azlun's voice was dangerously quiet. "By whom?"

Garek consulted his data pad, though he'd memorized the details. "We're not certain, my lord. His Majesty is trying to figure out the scramble on the security feed. But there are signs that point to the Drakanor faction."

Azlun cursed, a string of Tharvisian expletives that made even Garek's ears burn. He turned abruptly, striding to the weapons rack on the far wall.

"My lord?" Garek ventured, a feeling of unease growing in his stomach.

"Prepare my ship," Azlun ordered, strapping on a pulse rifle. "I'm going to get her back."

Garek watched the anger flare in Azlun's eyes and knew whoever abducted her was in trouble. Lady Venus had better be all right , he thought grimly. For all their sakes.

To be continued…