The Deception

By Tia Dani

Ever since Solena accepted the Vada crown and took control of the galaxy, treachery threatens. It’s everywhere. Confusion runs unceasing among the high-ranking leaders within the Planetary Federation. Friends and enemies no longer seem obvious. Someone, somehow, is orchestrating the misunderstandings. But who?

While Solena struggles to maintain order in the once peaceful galaxy, two, major, more personal concerns occupy her mind. What happened to her beloved missing sister, Lauren? And why does her husband suddenly fight her every decision, something Erik swore he’d never do?

A brutal, calculating, adversary behind the oncoming Harmageddon thrives on deception. His next attack centers on Solena’s husband. Have Erik removed forever and blame it on Solena.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BWL Publishing Inc.
• Release date: Nov 29, 2017
• ISBN: 9781773629858

Tia Dani

Tia Dani is the multi-published writing team made up of good friends Christine E. Jones and Beverly Petrone. Together they create endearing and realistic characters, humorous dialogue, and unusual settings. And...best of all...they’re having the time of their lives.Storytelling has been a passion for Christine since childhood when she regularly enthralled the neighborhood children with make-believe fairy tales and wild adventures.Always the lover of a good romance, Beverly’s goal is for you to step into the shoes of her heroine, fall head-over-heels in love with her hero, and most of all believe in the magic of love.Tia Dani happily calls Arizona home where they play in the sunshine and dance in the twilight of the beautiful Sonoran desert. Tia Dani loves to hear from readers and they are always eager to chat about their books or any other subject that might come up.Books We Love titles are available at Amazon, Smashwords, All Romance eBooks, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, the Apple iStore and at other sites where eBooks are available online. Some titles are also in print, and available at your local bookstores.For more information about Tia Dani's books including blurbs, reviews and purchase links, please visit their website:www.TiaDani.com

Book preview

The Deception

Vada Gambit Book 2

By Tia Dani

Digital ISBNs

Kindle 978-1-77362-106-7

EPUB 978-1-77362-985-8

Print ISBN 978-1-77362-107-4

Amazon Print ISBN 978-1-77362-108-1

Digital ISBNs [Blank Jude a

Print ISBN

Amazon Print ISBN

Copyright 2017 by Christine E. Jones and

Beverly Petrone

Cover art by Michelle Lee

All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the publisher of this book

Dedication

To all our reader and fans who love discovering new worlds filled with excitement and intrigue.

Chapter One

Bright bands of amber rays burst through the umbrella canopy of a stately Alponi tree as High-Princess Solena Cartair and her mountain pony reached the top of the Belavy Mountains’ switch-backs. Accustomed to navigating with a globe light for the past two hours, Solena’s eyes rebelled at the sudden brilliance. Her lids instinctively clamped shut. She forced them open then blinked rapidly to adjust her vision. Reining her impatient pony to a halt, she switched the globe to neutral and twisted sideways in the saddle. Below her, and still, in the night shadows of the canyon walls, three illumined globe lights floated in a row. Another single light followed at a distance behind the others.

The first globe was undoubtedly Erik’s, her new husband, and soon-to-be the ruling consort by her side once she became queen. Since their forced marriage, because of her foolish plan to control her destiny, he hadn’t been exactly happy. He'd been furious. Not that she blamed him. After all, by law and the Pauldin Oracles, he should have been the aggressor, the one to kidnap her and hold her for the required three days. Instead, he’d been tricked into a hasty marriage, before the mandatory kidnapping, and forced to sign contracts in disagreement. All political and governing decisions were to be made by her. As her consort, he could only accept and follow her demands. Not exactly something a trained and seasoned Off-World Guard would choose for his life.

Solena sighed and shook her head. She certainly could have orchestrated last night’s events better than she did. But it wasn’t all her fault things went wrong. How could she have known her father had already taken steps to ensure she marry the right man to become her consort? Or that Erik’s younger brother would design a plan of his own to kidnap her for himself. Only because of her quick wits and a talent at evading pursuit he’d failed, and she was able to avoid that horrible marriage.

Solena shuddered at the thought of becoming Quinlan Dane’s bride. Though he didn’t have the intelligence to be a threat to her rule, he certainly would have been a sharp thorn in her side. Not to mention, she hated his bodyguard, General Burloch, a cold-blooded killer with no remorse.

She’d witnessed firsthand Burloch’s evilness. He’d killed her beloved Janna, a domestique who’d never given anything but love to all she knew. All because the elderly woman had come to her rescue when the Under Prince Quinlan Dane tried to kidnap Solena and hold her for the required three days as stated by the Oracles. To do so would mean Quinlan would become her husband and future king. She pulled a deep breath.

A sound of a horse nickering drew Solena back to her new predicament. Behind Erik followed the two guardsmen in charge of the pack ponies. She smiled and imagined the men holding their globes high while they carefully navigated their broader, off-world steeds around the jagged rocks which jutted onto the narrow path. The lone light further back undoubtedly was Erik’s man-of-arms, Serge Vos Savant, still insisting he ride rear guard in case of followers.

Solena lifted her face to the grey sky. White flakes of snow dusted her nose and cheeks while wind gusted from the canyon. There would be no one coming soon, she was sure of it. Yesterday night’s storm had returned and this time carrying heavy snow. By midday, nothing could travel through the pass they’d just navigated. Not even a small shuttle craft would dare maneuver the steep canyon walls, and dangerous crosswinds. Someone intent on finding them would think she and her party had vanished.

A flutter of wings sounded overhead. Solena glanced upward again and spotted a white Nyceta owl gliding toward a stand of trees. The bird landed upon one tree’s thick branches halfway from the top. Though it was too far away to see its features, Solena sensed the bird’s contentment by the way he preened his feathers with a large amount of enthusiasm.

Ah, you must have had an excellent feast tonight, Oh Wise One. Now you are ready to wait out the storm. That is good. I pray my party is as fortunate as you. She adjusted the collar of her winter coat tighter around her neck to block out the icy wind. As if understanding her movement, her pony pawed the ground with his right hoof and attempted to move toward the trees.

Solena tugged on the reins and patted the mountain pony’s shaggy-haired neck. Patience, my powerful friend. I know you’re in a hurry to get to a warm stall and plenty of feed, but we must wait for the others to catch up. Their mounts are not conditioned to the climbing as you are. They will need rest before we can continue.

As if giving his opinion of his future stall mates, the beast snorted and shook his broad head. Solena laughed and patted his neck again.

The sound of hooves striking against rock made her look up. Erik’s magnificent warrior horse scrambled over the ridge, its sides heaving and great puffs of icy air escaping its nostrils. The moment Erik caught sight of her, a flash of relief crossed his features, followed by an irritated frown.

He moved his horse closer, filling her vision, his brown eyes glared into hers with blazing agitation. It was evident he hadn’t liked how far ahead of their party she’d ridden. She scrutinized him. She took in a deep, steadying breath, then kept her tone neutral. It’s dangerous to push an animal not used to this altitude.

I know.

His curt response had an accusing tone. He made no pretense he considered it her fault he’d been forced to push his mount so hard. He brought his horse alongside hers. His cheeks were tinged pink from the sharp wind. Tufts of red-blond hair had escaped his head covering and blew about his forehead. The impulse to run her fingers through it, feel its silkiness as she tucked it back under its cover, overwhelmed her.

I’d think, after what happened with Quinlan, you’d be leery of going on alone. Do you do this out of habit or just stupidity?

The feeling to touch his hair disappeared so quickly Solena wasn’t sure she’d felt it at all. She straightened her back and raised her chin. She refused to let his ill-humor affect her. Other, more pressing concerns required her attention, like getting everyone to shelter before the storm hit full force. Neither. Hjalti ponies love to climb. Once they start, they don’t like to stop. I tried to tell you and your men it would be better to use some of the ponies my father keeps stabled at the lodge. She tilted her head and forced a sweet smile. If you had, you would have been able to keep up with me.

Whatever response he was about to give was halted by the arrival of the two guardsmen Erik had insisted on accompanying them. The men and animals appeared over the ridge in one continuous rush. The extra pack ponies led the way, practically pulling the guardsmen’s weary mounts with their long lead lines.

Solena’s pony nickered in welcome. The greeting was returned by the two others trotting toward him. A smug sensation swept over her as she wondered if the animals weren’t enjoying a joke at the expense of their more elegant cousins.

Several minutes later, Serge also emerged over the ridge. Wind and snow swirled around him as he rode toward them. His words echoed Solena’s earlier thoughts. By all that’s holy. No one could follow us. Not through that pass, with this storm increasing.

Everyone glanced up at the sky, but Solena. She adjusted the long, cumbersome coat the family’s head servant, Geoffrey, had provided, till it snuggled tighter around her legs.

She was warm enough in her coat, but to her envy, all four men appeared to be oblivious to the biting cold. They wore only thin, one-piece garments over their uniforms. On their hands were tight-fitting gloves, and on their heads were skull caps, the kind that came over their ears and strapped under their chins. Solena had heard the Elite Off-world guardsmen were advanced in their traveling gear, but she hadn’t realized until now just how much.

An unexpected blast of wind tugged at her fur-lined Cossack hat. Solena yanked it down over her ears, wishing she felt as comfortable as they looked. She urged her pony forward and, as the animal took off at a brisk trot, she called over her shoulder, Once this storm crests the mountain ridge, the temperature will drop dramatically. We need to get the animals unpacked and into the stable.

Erik caught up with her, while the others fell in line behind them. How long until we reach this cabin of yours?

Not long. Just beyond that line of Alponi trees. The buildings butt up against the south face of the outcropping.

Massive rock formations jutted above the trees and Erik studied the mountain with another one of his now-familiar frowns. Was it wise to build there? We’re going to get some heavy snow out of this storm. An avalanche might bury us.

No, it wouldn’t. The Jal á Bir master builder Geoffrey hired assured me the slope is deceiving. It slants up and to the left, away from where the buildings stand. The ledge protects the whole compound.

Humph! That remains to be seen.

His continuous flip-flop from melancholia to disgruntlement was beginning to wear on her. She opened her mouth to say so when Erik suddenly snapped a question.

If the cabin is on this side of the mountain, why did you head in the direction of the flatlands?

Because… The urge to brag won over her reluctance to speak about Cartair secretive achievements. If someone watched us leave the lodge, I wanted them to think we were riding toward Tunenak. My grandfather created the cross trail as a young man so he could reach the west slope of the mountain without having to navigate around the southern tip. No one, but family and a few trusted servants know about the trail we took.

Erik snorted. I’d think not. When you suddenly swerved your pony into that ravine, and then it opened up a hole in the embankment, I couldn’t have been more surprised. Even Serge didn’t expect it, and not much gets past him.

She felt pride at the unintentional compliment. I have to admit if anyone tries to follow our tracks, once they reach the middle of the ravine, it will appear as if we disappeared into thin air.

He shifted in the saddle and looked her straight in the eyes. Are there other secret hideaways your family has made that no one knows about?

Quite a few. Solena flashed him a teasing smile. And, not only on Aeldenland. You see, we, Cartairs, are a cautious lot. You never know when one might need to get away from nosy neighbors.

Her attempt to lighten his disposition had the opposite result. His dark auburn eyebrows slashed into a deeper V, and the same haunted look she’d seen while together in his bedroom last night returned. There’s no need to mention neighbors. I know how you feel.

Solena sensed the pain within him. Erik, I didn’t mean to imply your family—

Don’t! Erik glanced away. After what I learned last night, I’ll never disagree with you over that matter.

His bluntness took Solena aback for an instant, and she drew up in her saddle. Her husband’s harsh words brought back memories from last night. Right after their marriage her father had told them there had been an assassination attack in the castle. A man had attempted to take Lord Todos’ life earlier that evening. To Solena’s relief, Nevil remained unharmed. The attempt failed, and the assassin was in custody.

Solena absorbed Erik’s brusqueness and pressed the emotion against her heart. If anything had happened to Nevil because of her foolishness on controlling whom she married, she would have never forgiven herself.

Thankfully nothing had happened that way. And because she and Erik were forced to marry before her birthday, it meant Erik, as her future Consort, could legally leave her side to attend the assassin’s interrogation.

He withdrew, against her wishes, she might add. Solena wrinkled her nose. There was nothing she could have done to stop him. She wasn’t the queen yet, and her father still retained control over her wishes. He supported Erik’s demand she be kept in isolation while they questioned the assassin. Both, her father and her new husband, insisted the rules dictated by the prophecy be followed. Rules were rules. By law, Solena must be abducted and kept in isolation for the required three days. Following the marriage, whenever it took place, the ceremony had to be legally recorded. Under no circumstances could they give Erik’s brother an opportunity to win his protest in front of the Federation that Erik had stolen the High-Princess from him.

Rules or not, it still rankled Solena how Erik had slammed the door on her angry protests and ordered her door be locked and guarded. Of course, it had been the right thing to do, but it still didn’t make her happy with the thought her authority at that time carried no weight.

While riding ahead of the others during the night, it gave her time to think about her forced isolation and of the assassin. She may not have full authority over the Cartair Monarchy yet, but she was still its future queen. She had the right to know about the interrogation.

She twisted in the saddle and searched for the other guardsmen. They had fallen behind again. Since they were alone, she could talk more freely. What happened during the interrogation, Erik? She kept her tone even and uncombative. I may not be queen yet, but I still should be allowed to know everything. What occurred last night might have an effect on my future life and those I’ll be ruling over.

She half expected him to tell her, right or not, it was none of her business, but he didn’t. His jaw clenched. My brother was responsible for ordering Nevil killed.

The repulsion against Quinlan increased a hundredfold. Why that Buffo toad. I’ll have his— She swallowed down the rest of her words, knowing anger would get her nowhere. How certain are you the assassin told the truth?

"Absolutely. A man with a hypo-dial inserted in his spine cannot lie."

A deathly emotional chill flowed through her. Once, as a child, she’d played with her toys under her father’s large conference table. The king unexpectedly entered the room with an Elite Off-World officer. Neither man knew she was there. Thinking they were alone, the Guardsman produced a picture player so the king could watch the interrogation of a murderer who’d cold-bloodedly slaughtered a guardsman’s family on Itania. The man’s screams stayed implanted in her memory. She recalled how his voice shook with pain while he explained the selfish reasons behind his killing.

Once his confession was complete, his sentence had been read aloud by a tribunal of impartial jurors. Her father had listened, then agreed. Death by the needle. At the sound of the man’s sobs, gurgling away to nothingness, Solena covered her ears and curled into a ball. For several months afterward, she had nightmares which she could never quite explain to her nanny.

Solena shook away her uncomfortableness. What was the assassin’s name?

Her question visibly startled him. Scowling, he expelled a long, slow breath. Is that necessary to know?

For me? Yes, it is. A name is better to deal with than nothing.

He seemed to consider her answer. His gaze flickered over her, his expression thin-lipped and rigid. It’s Jac Billaud.

He’s dead now, isn’t he?

Erik hesitated, then nodded. How did you know?

I— Solena shook her head. Never mind. She didn’t feel up to explaining how she knew the Guard’s procedure on executing a vicious killer. What else did this Billaud confess to doing?

A muscle jumped in his cheek. What makes you think he said anything else?

He must have. I don’t believe you’d be this angry if it were only Quinlan accused. You already distrust your brother.

Solena’s pony skirted a large tree, and Erik’s mount followed. When the narrow trail widened, and they were able to ride side-by-side again, Erik added, "You’re right. You are aware of our hypo-dial, and what it’s used for."

Yes, I do know. Go on.

One thing not known is the needle can make a man admit to crimes not asked. Even something he’s committed as far back as twenty or forty years.

Interesting. Where was he going with this? Go on.

Erik appeared troubled. The muscles in his jaw rippled. The day you were born, my father, in one of his drunken rages, ordered you strangled.

Solena gasped. Immediately her throat tightened, nearly making it hard to breathe. She willed her neck to relax and swallowed slowly. She hadn’t expected Erik’s news to be personal. This time she didn’t bother to keep her voice calm. I want to know everything. Leave nothing out.

Surprisingly he nodded but continued to stare straight ahead. According to the Jac Billaud, my father was afraid of the prophecy. He feared your birth would put an end to his dream.

What dream?

To sit upon the throne. My father always believed it belonged to him…to the Dane family. I understand he used to rant about how Henry Cartair cheated Alan Dane out of the royal crown.

That again? Solena forced the emotions roiling inside of her to wither. It was a fair draw. Each man shuffled the deck twice. Your ancestor being the last. There was no way Henry could have cheated.

He turned and fixed his gaze on her. I’m not arguing with you, Solena. Once and for all, believe me when I say I accept the Cartair leadership completely. I’ve studied our history as well as you. There is no doubt in my mind your family was better suited to run the galaxy.

For several seconds Solena studied him. She recalled their conversation during the