Total pages in book: 33
Estimated words: 31078 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 155(@200wpm)___ 124(@250wpm)___ 104(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 31078 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 155(@200wpm)___ 124(@250wpm)___ 104(@300wpm)
“And will beating him to a bloody pulp change things? It won’t. Come away with me and then you can ask your questions when you’re calmer. You’ll do the Princess no good in the state you’re in. You must remain strong for the Queen.”
“Listen to him, Father. It would serve no purpose harming this man who probably wasn’t deliberating disobeying you,” Jayru, his oldest son and heir spoke.
Blaze wanted to pound that guard some more but realized his friend and son were right. It wouldn’t do the situation any good if he went on as he was. He nodded. “Jayru, see that this guard is taken to the medics for care, then put him in a holding cell for questioning.”
His son looked as though he wanted to say something, but decided against it. Nodding his dark head, Jayru barked out orders to two other guards to help the writhing man off the ground. Blaze allowed Radien to lead him out of the sector and into the castle.
Blaze wanted to rage and cry, but tears were not a luxury he could afford. He had to find his daughter. She had no experience in flying a heliocraft so far. What if she crashed? Even though it was designed so that any occupant would survive such a catastrophe, the self-destruct mechanism certainly made him worry.
“You were very hard on that guard out there,” Radien said gently.
“He’s endangered my daughter! He’s lucky to be alive. What am I going to tell my wife, who has been crying her eyes out since we’ve learned that London was missing? She’s inconsolable, and I’m damned near at that point myself. If anything were to happen to her… Radien, I would gladly give my life for hers.”
His friend patted him on the shoulder. “I know how you feel. I ache for you. Your children have been special to me as well, especially London. It was truly a joy to see her grow up, but you know, my friend, violence won’t solve anything. That guard is an idiot I agree, but you know just as well as I do that if London so much as bats her eyelashes men jump to do her bidding.”
Blaze’s eyes narrowed. “Are you saying my daughter is some kind of seductress? You may be my friend, but I’ll knock you on your ass for speaking against her like that.”
“You need to settle down. Right now I’m sure your nerves are a little frazzled but think about it, friend, anything she wants you give to her. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing, but there’s something about your daughter that inspires that in men. She could probably charm the most cold hearted of beasts,” Radien reasoned.
A smile tugged at the corner of Blaze’s mouth. His friend was right. London usually got anything she asked for. She wasn’t spoiled. She didn’t need to be, especially when men and women alike tripped over their feet to do her bidding. “She is charming.” He sighed, sadness flowing through him as he remembered her as a little girl, so loving and sweet. She hadn’t changed in over twenty years though she had the most infuriating stubborn streak.
“Go to your wife, and see to her comfort. I’ll check with the system’s navigators to determine the exact coordinates of the missing heliocraft. At least then we can pinpoint her whereabouts.”
Blaze nodded, appreciating his friend. ‘Thank you, Radien.” He headed for his room then only to be stopped by Zahn.
“Sire, I would like to extend my services to you and gather some of my men to search for the Princess. I vow to you that I won’t rest until she’s found and brought back home safely.”
Blaze gave Zahn, one of the few men who topped him in height, a long hard look. The man’s dark hair and slightly darker complexion had a lot to do with his Zenobian ancestors, a race who were a lot like the Thibians. This was the man he’d chosen to marry London and Blaze wondered if he’d made a mistake.
There was a bit of hardness about him that Blaze hadn’t noticed before. Even in his rush to see his daughter securely married, maybe he should have consulted her. He shook his head. It had to be the drama of the moment. Zahn was a fine General who served him well. His loyalty to the crown and service in battle had earned Blaze’s utmost respect.
“I appreciate that. It means a lot to me to have men like you backing me. We’ll speak of this later, but first, I must see the Queen. As you can imagine she’s distressed.”
Zahn inclined his head respectfully. “Of course, Sire. Call upon me when you’re ready. I’ll round up some of my men.”
“Very good,” Blaze dismissed him, turning on his heel.
When he finally reached his room, it was to find his wife curled up on the bed in the fetal position. Tears slowly streamed down her face, and Blaze’s heart broke for her. Even after all the time they’d been together, Blaze believed his Calliope was the most beautiful woman he’d ever set eyes on. His heart raced wildly for her, and his cock jumped to attention whenever she was near, just like it had been when they first met. He knew that long after they were old and feeble, he’d still feel this way about her.