Page 3 of Alien Mercenary's Wife
Draanth.
"Your Majesty." He inclined his head the bare minimum required by protocol. Beside him, Red relaxed slightly… the subtle shift of someone ready for a fight but not advertising it.
"I wonder if I might have a word?" Daaynal's tone made it clear it wasn't a request. "There's a private chamber through here."
His mother's training kicked in… years of lessons in diplomatic composure, in hiding what you really thought behind a mask of cool professionalism. He let that persona slide over him like armor, pushing down the chaos of emotions threatening to claw their way to the surface.
"Of course."
The private chamber was small and windowless, the kind of place where careers, and probably people, went to die. A simple table, a few chairs, walls that probably had enough surveillance equipment hidden in them to record a whisper from fifty meters away.
The drakeen stayed outside, which meant Daaynal was confident he could handle two mercenaries by himself. Given that he was a warrior emperor with decades of combat experience with two drakeen in the corridor outside, that was probably a safe bet.
"Please, sit," Daaynal said, settling into a chair with the easy grace of someone who'd never doubted his right to be wherever he was.
He remained standing. Control the space. Project strength… Basic tactics.
"That was an interesting signal," Daaynal said without preamble, those eyes studying him with uncomfortable intensity. "One I haven't seen in over thirty years."
He kept his expression neutral and shrugged.
“You are T'Raal of the Warborne," Daaynal continued, a statement, not a question. "Your reputation precedes you." His attention shifted to Red, and T'Raal felt a spike of protective instinct that was probably visible from orbit. "And you are?"
Red straightened, every inch the experienced mercenary she was in her black combats and openly displayed weapons.
"My daughter," T’Raal said, the words coming out harder than he'd intended. The possessive claim in his voice was unmistakable—Red was his family, his crew, his responsibility. “And also, Queen Redayne of Navarr."
Daaynal's eyebrows rose slightly. “Navarrian? Your Majesty." He inclined his head to Red with genuine respect. "An honor. It has been a long time since the Imperial Court has had the honor of such a visit.”
Red returned the courtesy, inclining her head with a regal gesture that he’d never taught her. “The pleasure is all mine, your majesty. Although I am not here in any official capacity. I am merely here to support my father.”
“Of course, of course,” Daaynal said, his gaze returning to T'Raal. "Now then… Why would a mercenary captain gain my attention with an emergency signal from an order long since dead? Since, as I am sure you are aware, the last of the Praetoviatt died many years ago?”
“I am aware. And, intelligence," he said, his voice steady despite the chaos in his head. "The Tanel are back. At least one of them, calling himself General Saak, has acquired a Krynassis reproductive halo."
Daaynal froze for a second, his diplomatic mask slipping for just a heartbeat to reveal the razor-sharp intelligence beneath.
"You're certain of this? When did this happen?”
"My source is impeccable." He kept his voice level, professional, like he was reporting ship status to the crew. "The halo was stolen recently. We've heard nothing since."
"And you brought this information to me because?"
He met Daaynal's gaze directly, unflinching. "Because if the Tanel really are back, innocent people will die."
Daaynal's expression shifted, skepticism creeping in. "The Tanel haven't been seen in over two hundred thousand years. More likely someone's taken a dead myth's name to try and scare people."
"Maybe." He shrugged. "But can you afford to be wrong?"
The emperor studied him for a long moment. "This information came at considerable risk to your source, I imagine."
"That's not your concern."
"No, I suppose it isn't." Daaynal stood, and he realized they were the same height and nearly the same build. "I appreciate you bringing this to my attention."
He shrugged. “Don't thank me yet. If I'm right, stopping him won't be simple."
"Nothing worthwhile ever is." Daaynal moved toward the door, then paused with his hand on the control panel. "Tell me, are you interested in more... official employment? I could use someone with your skills and connections."
