Starfall (Starflight #2)(17)

“Don’t let the enemy take that away from us,” Jordan concluded, and then he dismissed the troops for duty.

“Very inspiring,” Cassia told him as they strode back to the command center. “You’re a natural.”

“I only told them the truth.”

“But the delivery makes a difference.” She knew firsthand. Maybe if her parents had spent more time telling her what she’d done right instead of magnifying each one of her mistakes, she wouldn’t have doubted herself for so long. “Motivating people is a skill.”

Jordan drew a breath to respond but released a groan instead, prompting Cassia to follow his gaze to the other end of the hallway. Then she groaned, too. Her parents’ chief advisor, Councilor Markham, charged toward her in hurried steps that caused his trousers to swish between his thighs.

She forced a smile, reminding herself that Markham was a gifted political strategist. She only disliked him because he’d facilitated her match with Marius. That wasn’t his fault.

“There you are,” Markham said, his gray hair tousled by exertion. “I’ve been all over the palace looking for you.” He glanced at the electronic button tacked to her tunic. “Is your link turned on?”

She sensed Jordan stiffen in offense. He had his own issues with Markham, mostly stemming from the power struggle between the military and the council of advisors after her parents had left. “Remember who you’re talking to,” Jordan warned.

Markham narrowed his eyes as if to argue, but he must have thought better of it. “My apologies, Your Highness. I meant no disrespect.”

“It’s all right,” she said while activating her link. In truth, she’d forgotten to turn it on. “What do we need to discuss?”

“An offer of marriage.”

Jordan’s brows jumped in perfect time with hers. “Has it escaped your notice that the queen already has a husband?”

“And I don’t even want him,” she added. “What’s the meaning of this?”

Markham held both palms forward. “Please let me explain. I know it may seem premature, but these discussions are critical to the colony. You can’t imprison Marius forever. At some point, you’ll have to prosecute him for his crimes against the charter, otherwise you’ll be in violation of the law.”

“That’s true,” she conceded. “And when the time comes, I’ll divorce him and consider a new match.”

“That time is now, Majesty. The fallen kingdoms want their titles restored.”

“Well, of course they do,” Jordan said. “But it’s too late. They officially relinquished their holdings to Marius in accordance with the law.”

Markham held up an index finger. “Under duress.”

“All wartime choices are made under duress,” Cassia argued. “My rule is perfectly legal. I’m not giving Eturia back to the same people who allowed it to be destroyed. The old system was broken. It’s time for a change.”

That piqued Jordan’s interest. “What kind of change?”

“I don’t know,” she admitted. “But whatever I decide, the transition will happen under my leadership. I’ve seen the damage a power vacuum can cause.” She shook her head. “Never again.”

“I don’t dispute any of that, Highness,” Markham said. “But the planet has never been ruled by a single monarch before. The other houses believe that’s too much power for one person. If you refuse to restore their holdings, they may form an alliance against us and attack.”

Jordan huffed a dry laugh. “With what? Rocks and sticks from their crumbling palaces? I’d love to see them try.”

“So would I,” Cassia said, because he was right. The war had left the other kingdoms just as broken as hers, but as Marius’s queen, she had access to the Durango coffers, as well as to their weapons. No one would make a move against her. However, she needed to handle the situation with care or she might have multiple rebellions on her hands. Rocks and sticks could win battles if wielded by a large enough group.

“Stall them,” she decided. “Convey my gratitude for the offers of marriage, but tell them my first priority is to stabilize our lands. Once that’s done, I’ll consider each offer carefully and ensure that everyone’s needs are met.”

“But—”

“I’ve made my decision,” she told Markham. “I trust you’ll find a way to convey my request in a manner that placates the nobles.”

He released an audible breath through his nose. “As Her Majesty wishes.”

After Markham strode away, she glanced at Jordan and found him watching her. He didn’t say anything, but a corner of his mouth curved up again.

“Two smiles in one day?” she said. “Careful or you might hurt yourself.”

“I like the way you stood up to him.”

“Excuse me, General,” interrupted a voice through his com-link. “We have a potential security breach.”

Jordan tapped his link. “Where?”

“Outside the planetary shield. There’s a ship approaching with a speed and trajectory that indicates they mean to force entry.”

He muttered a swear. “What class vessel?”

“Looks like a small cargo ship, sir. Permission to engage?”