Heir of Stars Chapter 6
Justin did his best to keep his face neutral. He’d messed up, again. It was like Rain short circuited some part of his brain.
She shifted the blaster between her palms, turning it over as she did. Inspecting it. “While I’ll admit I’ve never seen this particular model before, I’d say I’m fairly well acquainted with the intricacies of a slimline.”
“This model is military grade. It’s not like recreational guns.” Justin leaned against the crate. Like Rain wasn’t holding a very real blaster.
Micah was tense in his place with the guards. Justin shook his head slightly. Rain wasn’t going to shoot him. At least, not in front of so many witnesses.
She stepped closer, still turning the gun over in her hands. “How so?”
“It has much more power.”
“Hmm, does it now?” Her patronizing tone stoked a fire in him. “Because I’d love to see how it compares to the one I have in my pocket.”
A shiver ran down his spine. “I’d be happy to demonstrate.”
Rain looked up at him. She was even shorter than her brother. “I think the best shot should do the demonstration.”
“Well. That was my suggestion.” He held out his hand for the weapon.
She lifted her eyebrows. “I’m suggesting I’m better.”
He looked her over. “I doubt that.”
Shut up, Justin. This was getting dangerously close to flirting. In court. In front of his betrothed. He’d forgotten Autumnia was even there.
“Why don’t you meet me at the firing range and find out?” Her face was close to his, and the challenge was barely above a whisper.
She smiled with so much confidence that Justin’s waivered a little. “I will. When?”
“Two days from now. I’ll send you the time.” She curtsied and walked back up the dias.
“I’ll be there.”
“Well, I’m glad Rain found something that she can use.” Autumnia’s voice drew his eyes back to her. Her face was so smug. He looked between Rain and Autumn. The air of confidence hadn’t left Rain, but she was also glaring at the queen. Something was up.
It had all been a test, but of what exactly? And how would he know if he’d passed?
#
After a few more formalities, Autumnia ended her court and Justin followed his entourage out to the conference room. His grandfather’s ambassadors were already arguing with his father’s.
“What exactly was that?” Micah asked.
Justin settled into a seat in the back. “What was what?”
“You, flirting with someone I’ve never even seen before.” He leaned in to whisper. “Someone who’s not your betrothed.”
“I wasn’t flirting. The queen asked me to give her something.”
“Sure.” Micah practically snorted. “Who was she?”
“Lady Rain Kortis. Autumnia introduced her. Weren’t you paying attention?”
“Yeah, I was. Who is she to you?”
“Autumnia’s friend and heir.”
“Uh-huh.” Micah nudged him. “You didn’t agree to a date with her or anything.”
“I didn’t!”
The ambassadors turned to glare at him. At least they agreed on something.
“I didn’t.” He whispered it this time. “It was a challenge.”
“Are you meeting her?” Micah was probably the only person in court close enough to hear.
“She wasn’t serious,” Justin said.
“She was.” His bodyguard made a show of stroking his chin. “It won’t hurt anything.”
“I’m supposed to be courting Autumnia.” Justin rubbed his eyes. “I can’t flirt with someone else.”
A sly look slid over his old friend’s eyes. “If you weren’t flirting, you’d be making an effort to get to know Her Majesty’s friends.”
Justin sighed. “Fine. I’ll meet her.”
“I think that's an excellent plan.” Micah glanced at two ambassadors who were glaring at each other. “Go to sleep. I’ll cover for you.”
“Thank you.” He slipped out of the conference room. He wasn’t flirting with Rain, he was just too tired to think straight.
#
Carson’s directions were invaluable on this maze of a ship.
As Justin made his way to his chambers, Rain’s challenge replayed in his mind.
Why didn’t anyone tell him about this woman?
At least, why didn’t anyone warn him?
His heart suddenly pounded. He stopped with a hand on a wall and took a deep breath. It was just leftover nerves.
Right. Nerves after presenting the queen he was going to marry with gifts that didn’t even mean anything. To either of them.
As he stepped into his room, he undid the band holding his braids, and pulled the circlet off his head. Star-cursed thing was starting to give him a headache. He put it back in its case instead of tossing it off to one side, like he wanted to.
He hardly knew anything about Autumnia. He’d only really met her court self, and that wasn’t ever the real person. And if she was going to be his wife, the real person was important to him.
Her court was awful. Mocking someone for a mishap with fruit. And the icy stares aimed at Rain every time he spoke to her. Justin hadn’t interacted with her much, but he couldn’t fathom what she’d done to earn them. Or maybe it was jealousy?
Gialians were rumored to be vain and selfish. Autumnia was hard to read, so she might be alright. He’d need to get to know her better. The rest of the court certainly lived up to that reputation.
Except Rain.
She was a mystery. Giving off an aura like he’d never seen one moment, and it was gone the next. It hadn’t made an appearance at court either. Her brother’s aura was so tightly controlled. Were they both hiding for the same reason?
Autumnia’s aura was sort of an iridescent shimmer in the air around her. Pretty, but not as impressive as he’d expected. Everyone raved about how beautiful she was and he’d expected her aura to match.
Not that she wasn’t beautiful, with arching cheekbones and a slim figure. Her blonde hair was perfectly tinted to her skin, and her eyes were a striking blue.
But he couldn’t stop comparing her to Rain.
Rain was–
Carson buzzed and played a small song that sent Justin’s stomach to the floor.
He swiped on the pad. “Hello grandfather.”
“Justinian.” The emperor stared back at him from the screen. “I have asked you to use my proper address.”
Justin sat up in his chair. “Greetings, Your Excellency, how may I be of service?”
After a nearly imperceptible nod, Grandfather leaned back into his chair and tented his fingers. “I’ve called to check up on your appearance at Queen Autumnia’s court. Were you well received?”
“Yes, your excellency.” He’d leave out Rain’s invitation. “I’ve been invited to dine with the queen later this week.”
“And what will you be doing in the meantime?”
“Today? Sleeping.”
Grandfather’s hands came down hard on his armrests. “You will be mingling with the other courtiers. Find out how much favor she holds for your rivals. Make yourself well liked.”
What kind of people did this court like? Justin frowned an instant before regretting it.
“Is this a problem?” It was a question, but it allowed no room for arguing.
He knew better than to lie, though. “Her majesty's courtiers are petty and vain.”
“Then it will be easy.” Grandfather picked up a small tablet and scrolled through it.
“I’m not sure she puts much stock in their opinions.”
He looked up again. “By all accounts Autumnia is a vain, petty, empty-headed queen. Her only concern is what others think of her.”
He knew that well enough. But then he got here. “If that’s true, how is she running such a stable system?”
“She’s pretty and her ministers are competent.” Grandfather grinned. “Aren’t you lucky.”
She’s not nearly as pretty as Rain. He had to stop thinking about that. Her. “What are the reports on her Chief of Staff?”
Maybe he’d be able to stop tomorrow.
Grandfather scoffed. “Don’t bother with her. She went to school with the queen. No magic, no connections.”
“She seems close to Autumnia.” As did Sir Andrew, who was obviously more important than his title let on.
The emperor narrowed his eyes, and Justin fought to keep from squirming like a child. “The only reports that have come in are that she’s a sycophant. Desperate to keep on the queen’s good side.”
Autumnia’s ladies in waiting behaved like sycophants, but not Rain. Justin just nodded. He wouldn’t mention her aura. He wouldn't give Grandfather a reason to look at her too closely.
Rain would be safer that way.
Grandfather cleared his throat. “But it might be worth making nice with her adopted brother, Sir Andrew. You aren’t going to get close to the queen before the wedding without his approval.”
“I understand.” If only Grandfather meant for him to make a friend and not just political leverage. “What do you recommend?”
“Just find ways to make him like you, Justinian. I can’t do everything for you.”
“Of course. I’m sorry.” He gave one quick, sharp bow of his head. “I meant, have your spies reported anything about Andrew I should know?”
“Only that he keeps odd hours and always seems to be working or sleeping or training. He only attends leisure events when the queen requests his presence.”
“Does he have magic?”
“Some, though it’s rarely seen. He generates a small bit of light or some such worthless thing.”
“I see.” Andrew heldhis aura back so tightly. Glowing wasn’t his only talent. “I’ll do my best to impress the court.”
“More than impress. Endear, enamor. Become their favorite.”
He took a deep breath, but held back the sigh that wanted to follow it. “I’ll try, your excellency.”
“Try?” Grandfather growled. “Try? Do I need to remind you what is at stake?”
“No, I–“
“Metarin’s standing in the Galactic Alliance. The military support Perrin gains from its alliance with me.” The image shuddered with the intensity of Grandfather’s gaze. “Your position as my heir.”
“I understand.”
“You will succeed, or you will be sorry.” The call blipped off, leaving Justin alone in his rooms.
He was already sorry. And he was going to enjoy meeting Rain again.
Yes, Justin's grandfather is an asshole. He will continue to be one for a while (forever). If you'd like to ask any questions my ask me anything is available, you're also welcome to ask characters things. I'll try to answer in a timely matter.
