“Take him!” Zanton screamed.Tyrin fired at Michio, but the energy blast hit harmless against theshield of light surrounding Michio.
“King Zanton, take your men andleave Jaipar!” Michio said.
“Never! I’m Jaipar’s newruler!”
The door burst opened and CaptainOrneil charged into the room, blaster in hand. “Drop your weapons!”Captain Orneil yelled as four of his men and Toemeka rushed in afterhim. Zanton’s men glanced around uneasily, then tossed theirweapons to the floor.
Toemeka rushed over to Erling.“You’re wounded,” she said, her eyes wide with trepidation.
“It’s not serious,” hesaid, returning his attention to Zanton and Michio.
“This isn’t over,” Zantonsnarled.
“We’ll be ready for you,”Michio said.
Zanton narrowed his eyes and gaveErling a twisted smile. “You’re a dead man, Fenian.”
A ripple of dread shot throughErling. He heard confidence in Zanton’s threat. Would he die ofthis wound?
Toemeka spun around and shovedthe muzzle of her blaster into Zanton chest. “Shut up, you snake,or I’ll blast a hole through you!”
“You don’t dare kill me.It’ll start a war between our countries.”
“Captain Orneil!” Koriannordered, “Take King Zanton to his spacecraft and see that he andall his men leave Jaipar. And send for Dr. Tenzing immediately.”
Captain Orneil and his menremoved King Zanton, Tyrin and the other bodyguards from the room.
Unable to stay standing, Erlingsat on the edge the bed. Koriann pulled a pillowcase off one of thepillows and pressed it against his wound in his side. The white clothturned red with blood.
“Thank you, Mich,” Erlingsaid weakly as the room began to spin. “You saved my life. I fearedTyrin had killed you.”
“His laser was set on stun. Iwas knocked out, but other than that unharmed.” Michio looked athis wife. “How did you know we needed help?”
“I knew King Zanton couldn’tbe trusted, so I hunted down Captain Orneil. He and his men would’vebeen here sooner, but they had to fight their way past Zanton’sguards.”
“Lay down, Erling,” Koriannurged.
Erling started to lie down andgasped as sharp pain pierced through him. Koriann clasped his hand.“Hang in there. The doctor will be here soon.”
Later that morning, Michio sat inthe den with Toemeka. She was curled up on the couch with her head onhis lap and her eyes closed. He was glad to have a quiet moment alonewith her after such a traumatic start to the day. His heart filledwith love as he gazed at her beautiful face. The sunlight shone onher golden skin, thick eyelashes and long, black hair. She looked soyoung and defenseless that she brought out protective instincts inhim, but he knew she wasn’t weak. She was strong and self-reliant.He smiled remembering how she’d shoved a blaster into Zanton’schest.
Koriann entered the den and saton a chair across from them. Her face was etched with worry.
“How’s Erling doing?”Michio asked.
“He’s in surgery. The swordcaused not only a deep cut but burned the skin and muscleunderneath.” She shuddered. “I still feel shaky from the fight,but I brought some good news. Zachary, Hendora and Onolyn arearriving today. Their aid is coming just when we need it most.”
Michio smiled. “It’ll be goodto see Zachary again. I still remember the time Father and I came tothe palace to see your father and Zachary almost knocked me down. Thetwo of you were playing tag in the royal hallways. Your game struckme as incongruous in such a stately palace. You two must have beenabout nine at the time.”
“I remember being embarrassed.You were sixteen, super-cute and seemed so much older. Her faceclouded with sorrow. “Shortly after that visit General Bhandarkilled my family, seized control of Jaipar and began executingnobility. Since Zachary’s family was nobility, they were forced toflee to the Village of Kumba for safety. As soon as Zachary was oldenough, he joined the Kameet Resistance and worked to restore theMarsindi Dynasty.”
“He was invaluable to theResistance,” Michio said. “I’m glad he’s returning to Jaiparwith Hendora and Onolyn. I’m concerned King Zanton might joinforces with Samrat Condor now. It’s unfortunate that he knows somuch about Jaipar’s military and their strategic plans.”
Koriann shook her head. “Idon’t think he’d join Samrat Condor. He hates him.”
“I don’t trust Zanton. Weshould send spies to his country to find out what his plans are.”
Toemeka sat up and stretched.“You could send Onolyn and Zac,” she said. “Hendora shouldleave for Coalition Headquarters as soon as possible to deliver theinformation Erling and I stole.”
“I’m sorry we woke you,”Michio said, annoyed with himself for talking about military mattersafter Dr. Tenzing stressed that Toemeka needed complete rest.
“I wasn’t asleep.”
“The only thing you need to beconcerned about is taking care of yourself and the baby.” Michiodropped his arm over her shoulders.
She pushed his arm away. “Don’tpatronize me!”
“I’m not patronizing you,”he said, unsure of how to best deal with her.
Koriann steered the conversationback to the needs of Jaipar. “Zachary and Onolyn would be a goodchoice. They have Coalition training for undercover missions.”
“You’d better not mention themission to Erling until after they’ve left,” Toemeka said. “He’llwant to lead it instead of taking time to recover.”
“He’s the future king ofJaipar and head of the planet’s military. He’s too important togo off on more missions,” Koriann said. “He’s needed here.”
“Future King? Are you twoengaged?” Toemeka asked.
“Yes, he proposed last night.”
Toemeka embraced her.“Congratulations.”
In the palace infirmary, Erlingswallowed the pain pill Nurse Jetty gave him.
“The surgery went well,” thenurse said. “Dr. Tenzing will stop by soon to talk about it.”
“How long do I have to stayhere?”
“You can discuss that with thedoctor.” She left the private recovery room as Toemeka entered.
“How are you feeling?”Toemeka asked, sitting on the chair beside the bed.
“I’ll heal. How about you?”
“I’m all right. The doctorsaid I should take it easy for a few days. Michio’s upset with mefor going to Flo Shah and thinks I should rest instead of going tothe meeting this afternoon.”
“What meeting?”
“Just an hour ago Koriannreceived a message from King Zanton. He’s demanding that shesurrender control of Jaipar to him or he will join forces with SamratCondor. A special
