Page 66 of Black Star

Let me hear their message. My internal comm is not yet at one hundred percent.

Viktor flipped a switch, and Tyrelle Amos’s voice projected commandingly over the external intercom. “Black Star, surrender and prepare to be boarded. This is Admiral Tyrelle Amos, supreme commander of the Vok’nair Empire. Please respond.”

Nani took a deep breath. Her words in the next few minutes could change the future of her people forever.

“Be sure to respond with visual, Viktor. He has to see who I am.” Nani straightened in her chair. She crossed her legs casually, waiting for Viktor to nod at her and for Tyrelle Amos to appear on her monitor. “Commander Amos,” she said in a friendly manner. “It’s good to see you again.”

Surprise flickered on the admiral’s face, but like the professional he was, he schooled his features almost immediately. “That ship belongs to the Vok’nair Empire.”

“This ship belongs to me.” Nani willed herself to relax. She couldn’t show weakness or uncertainty. Not with a man like Admiral Amos. “I earned her many times over.”

It was a while before the admiral said anything, but when he did he stood firm, looking at her hard. “It’s still my obligation to bring this ship -- and you -- back to the Empire.”

“You can try, Tyrelle, and you will probably succeed, but is that what you really want to do?”

“You know it’s not. But I have my own family to think about now. Children and grandchildren who are innocent of any wrongdoing. You made your choice when you rejected Samair. Besides, once we bring back Samair’s daughter, any claim you have will be disputed anyway. Nadira’s his heir. As the male parent, he will be placed in control of her estate and the kingdom.”

Nani had been ready for this. “And if Nadira is not his child?”

Tyrelle turned his head slightly, but sharply. This wasn’t a question he’d expected. “Not possible.”

“You know it is. You’ve probably even asked yourself that over the years. Why is it so impossible to contemplate it now?”

“Nani --” he began and looked around him at his command crew. His shoulders fell slightly, and he suddenly looked much older than he had a few moments ago. “It’s not that simple. The general population believes you died in childbirth. Samair has a stranglehold on anyone involved with your disappearance. Dr. Zabin was the only one of us brave enough to defy him, and his entire family was slaughtered. I understand now why he never had children.”

Nani felt an overwhelming relief wash over her. Knowing she could trust Mahat Zabin was the best news she’d had in forever. She was still uneasy, but she suspected she would be until Darian was at her side again.

I’m always with you, my love.

His love was like a warm column of air wrapping around her soul. Any uncertainty or doubt she had fled in his presence.

“Dr. Zabin has been a great help to us.”

“So I imagine, seeing you back in your body. You had a funeral and everything, you know. It was very public and Samair was visibly distraught as he held his baby daughter. It won’t be easy getting the people to accept you. Especially after being under Asalian influence. They’re not going to believe you’ve simply been raised from the dead.”

Something struck her then. Something that had been nagging her since she found out about the implanted chips within Phoebe and Diamond.

“There were two microchips that contained the DNA structure of both Darian and myself. Both have been recovered with no harm to those who held them.” She watched Tyrelle carefully, but if he knew about these chips, he gave away nothing. “Who designed them?”

There was a brief silence before the admiral spoke. “A man named Grimm. Pardell Grimm. He was a friend of both your father and the leader of the Asalian Coalition.”

“Is he still alive?” Nani’s heart pounded. This was it. This was the key.

Admiral Amos raised an eyebrow. “Yes. As a matter of fact, he is.”

Chapter Six

Nani tried to contain her excitement as she headed to Medical. She was hyperventilating, and she felt like her chest would explode with the pounding of her heart. She had to continually remind herself not to run. She had to be calm when she approached Dr. Zabin. Knowing it was hopeless, she detoured to her cabin. She had to get a hold on her emotions.

She felt Darian’s presence inside her mind, but he was calm as ever. The man infuriated her sometimes. Nothing frazzled him. Nothing impressed him. He was the rock in their relationship. She was always on emotional hyperdrive. She wished she could be more like him.

Then we wouldn’t be perfect for each other. We balance each other, Nani. Your strengths are my weaknesses and vice versa. We’re perfect for each other.

You always know how to calm me.

And you know how to enflame me.

He deliberately sent an image to her of how she looked during one of their more memorable sexual experiences.

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