Rising Zero Read online

  Darmon nodded. “Sleep did factor in after a while.”

  Dylia blushed.

  The ex-emperor looked at her. “Show me what you can do.”

  Dylia glanced at Darmon, and he nodded.

  She held out her hand, manifested a glowing blade, lifted the knife, and plunged it into the table. She released it, and it disappeared, leaving a hole behind. “There you go.”

  Darmon sighed. “This table is an heirloom.”

  She snarked at him, “Then you should have been more precise.”

  He chuckled. “Fair enough. Father, does that answer your curiosity?”

  “Um. Yes.” He looked at Dylia. “How are you still alive?”

  She sipped at her tea and refilled the cups at the table. “My father told me that it was possible. The kekxite exposure was necessary to stop the Strygga Syndrome, so he knew that a rising was within the realm of likelihood. When it was happening, I knew what to do.”

  He asked Darmon. “How many died?”

  “Zero.” Darmon reached and got some more toast from the tray that the servers put down. “She had one casualty, but it was the person who attacked her and does not add to her count.”

  Dylia sneaked another piece of toast and used some of the jam still left at the edge of her plate for it.

  Darmon handed her the cup of jam left on his own plate, and she took it with a nod. He added, “She also has tolerance for venom. So, that is very pleasant.”

  His father chuckled. “Does she? Well, that changes things.”

  His mother stared at her. “Really? You don’t lock up?”

  It took Dylia a moment to realize what they were talking about, and her cheeks caught fire. “Um, no. I find it very... pleasant.” She remembered the prick of pain followed by the very enjoyable heat.

  His mother asked, “What is Strygga Syndrome?”

  The men shrugged and left Dylia to explain.

  “From what I remember, Strygga Syndrome is a side effect of cross-breeding with members of the Strygga royal family. There is a weakness, then a fever, and then gradual fading of health and vitality. Then, under normal circumstances, the child dies.”

  His mother asked, “Is it always a child?”

  “Yes, the children with the Syndrome don’t last past age six. The big clue is the spiderweb of markings similar to a tree that appear over the spine.”

  She smiled. “I still have the markings.”

  “How did your father treat you?” Darmon sipped his tea.

  Dylia winced. “Illegally. But, as he had been on one of the research teams using the scanners, he knew that with a little alteration, he could get one to give me the full radiant effect of the mineral. That was the therapy, and it worked. I got better.”

  Darmon smiled. “She is a musician. I believe she has competency with most stringed instruments.”

  She inclined her head. “And temple drums.”

  “And temple drums.” He chuckled. “I would like to see that.”

  His mother said, “The drake festival is in ten days. Perhaps we could see her play them then.”

  Dylia blinked. “I would need to practice.”

  Darmon grinned. “We can arrange that.”

  She looked at her shoulders. “I will definitely need a different outfit. I would tear this to shreds.”

  “It will be arranged.”

  That was when she realized that it would just simply be set up, as he had said it. One of the nearby servants had heard his order, and it would just happen.

  His mother seemed to warm to her. “So, how did you meet my son?”

  Dylia chuckled. “He fished me out of Lake Aruth. Of course, he was dressed differently, and it was the day before yesterday.”

  “Yes, his decision to become a defender when he had his own rising was quite the moment of conflict in our family, but he is doing well with it, and with less risings every year, it made sense to us after a while.” His father chuckled. “He is very persuasive.”

  Dylia sighed. “If by that you mean that he simply announces his plan and you have to go with it or be dragged in his wake, yes.”

  Darmon chuckled. “I heard that.”

  “Good. I meant you to.” She smiled sweetly at him.

  He crooked his fingers at her, and she sighed and got to her feet, walking around the corner of the table. He pulled her into his lap and kissed her until she was dazed and limp.

  When she was able to look around, they were alone. “Where did everybody go?”

  He chuckled. “They are giving us privacy. Today we need to go to the southern continent and check on the recovery after the earthquake, arrange supplies, and that sort of thing.”

  “You do that?”

  “Of course. When you take responsibility for a people, you have to care if they live or die, and how well they are surviving.”

  “Who is there now?”

  “The military. Charities. I am going to authorize more medical staff and food distribution channels.”

  “Ah. I am going with you?”

  He smiled. “The news vids already have announced you to the world with descriptions of your outfit from last night. Today shows you in a more ladylike manner.”

  “Why are you showing me in different lights at all?”

  “They need to see you at my side. It will help when Zero emerges.” He lifted her slightly and nuzzled at her neck.

  The sudden sting caused a ripple effect on her nerves and pleasure ripped through her as he sucked softly at her skin. “How are you doing that?”

  She felt his lips curl in a smile. He pulled back and licked her neck once more before he put the collar back in place.

  “Drakes drink from their offerings, and if they are lucky, their mates. The mate can reciprocate in time. I am descended from drakes, and if you suffer from Strygga Syndrome, you are, too.”

  She frowned. “What?”

  “Strygga is the name of a drake. Just like Dronix or Billa.”

  “Oh. So, they had a mate?”

  “No. Strygga tried to impregnate as many females as he could find to lay with him. He created an entire species of his offspring. The Thokar, the world that your ancestor came from, they were one of Strygga’s seed worlds.”

  “Ah. I see.”

  “It’s all right. You don’t have to grasp the details right now. We need to get going.” He grinned, and she huffed and got off his lap.

  Her knees were shaking, and she knew she was scowling as he took her hand, and they walked through the palace to his private shuttle. He didn’t need it, but he wasn’t Farway today. He was the emperor, and the emperor arrived in a shuttle.

  She was seated next to him, and she looked out the window as they took off. She smiled as they lifted off smoothly and gained altitude before streaking through the sky.

  “Why don’t you travel with as many guards as your parents did?” She glanced at him, and he gave her a droll look.

  “Oh. Right. Sorry. Forgot.”

  She turned back to the window, and he pulled her hand, and when she stood, he pressed her onto his lap, straddling his thighs.

  “You are very witty. Funny. I never associate bonded servants with a sense of humour.”

  She was marvelling that the shuttle seat was wide enough for this, but when he stroked his hand up her inner thigh, she understood the reason for the slit. He whispered for her to keep her gaze on his, and she held the focus as long as she could. His fingers sliding inside her made it hard to keep her gaze locked to his when the moisture seeping from of her coated his fingers, and he thumbed her clit, she tried to stare at the spot between his eyes, but her own eyes crossed.

  He played with her, for that is what it was, for a solid ten minutes, and she held her hips still throughout the whole thing. He smiled at her as he slowly withdrew his fingers, licking them clean with his strangely long tongue.

  He was smug. “You can return to your seat, Dylia.”

  She nodded tightly, holding her arousal in until i
t simply faded away. It was simple to dismiss. Frankly, she could have done it with a better result on her own.

  She didn’t know what he was trying to prove, but if that were a punishment, she would have to do a lot more than being snippy for it to be a result she cared about.

  Chapter Eight

  The earthquake had done an incredible amount of damage. People were gathered to see their emperor, and some of them were unhappy.

  She stood next to him and slightly behind, watching the crowd. When she was playing, she had seen crowds with this mix. Some had come to make requests, and others had come to make noise. She had a scar on the left side of her head from being struck with some kind of cocktail glass and was wary of the latter.

  She kept her face passive and pleasant as Darmon spoke with local leaders and made plans for more assistance to be delivered, as well as additional medical personnel and equipment. He was calm, he was kind, but he was thorough.

  He beckoned to her and said, “The woman there is a teacher, and she is dealing with the children who have been displaced without parents. Go, listen to her, and find out what she needs.”

  She paused.

  “Don’t worry, Dylia. I will find you.” He took her hand and kissed it.

  Dylia nodded and turned toward the older woman who was wearing formal business clothing. She walked over to the woman and inclined her head. “What you tell me, he will hear.”

  The woman looked her up and down then nodded. “Thank you.”

  They left the meeting tent and walked through streets that were covered with fractures, and entire swaths of soil had risen in waves.

  The situation had been ongoing for a week, and the survivors had been found, and the dead identified and prepared for burial.

  “That is where we are storing the dead until the families can make plans for burial. Over there is the hospital assembly for the injured and burned. We will be going to the creche that has been set up for the children who have no parents left.”

  “Is that absolute? That there is no one to take them, I mean.”

  “We have gone through the survivor rolls; all the family members who survived can’t take them.”

  “So, you want the emperor to figure something out.”

  “That would be ideal.”

  She nodded and walked with the woman for a few minutes. “What is your name?”

  “Nanda Ormiak. I work at the local school.”

  “Ormiak?” Dylia was surprised.

  “Yes. I know it isn’t a common name, but it is an old one.”

  Dylia smile slightly. “I have heard it before. There is a researcher in the capital by that name.”

  “Ah, yes. He would be my brother. He is a little mad, but after his first wife passed, I never heard from him again, so I have been unsure as to what happened to him after she died.” Nanda’s eyes focused on her, and a slow look of recognition crossed her face. “Do you know him?”

  “We have met.” Dylia sighed. “He’s my father. I always wondered if my brother wasn’t my full brother, and you have answered that. When my brother was six, my father married Aluar Janoth. She died when I was ten.”

  Dylia squeaked in surprise as she was hugged strongly. “I have a niece!”

  She carefully hugged the woman back. “Oh. I suppose that means you are my Aunt Nanda.”

  The woman leaned back and smiled. There were tears in her eyes. “I am so happy to meet you. Do you think the emperor knew?”

  Dylia looked back at the conference area. “I am pretty sure that he did. He is funny that way.”

  She linked her arm with her aunt’s and nodded for them to continue. “Tell me about what the children need.”

  Her aunt smiled. “After you answer me one question.”

  Dylia nodded, her mind running through the possible insults that could come out. “Sure.”

  “How can you stand being around the emperor? He’s so handsome! Royalty, a hero... I would be following him around night and day.”

  Dylia chuckled. “He is really much more devious than you think. So, if you were following him, he would know it and probably give you something to hold or carry while you were back there.”

  Nanda laughed. “Fine. How long have you been his companion?”

  “Two days.”

  Her aunt stopped in her tracks. “Two days, and he is bringing you with him? Oh, my.”

  “There have been other circumstances involved in his assigning me to him.”

  Her aunt left it alone, and they continued on to the childcare area. The sounds of shrieking children running amok were deafening but very encouraging. Despite loss, they were resuming being children.

  She lifted her fingers to her lips and whistled sharply, bringing the room to a halt. One child on a wheeled board cruised to a halt at her feet.

  “Who are you?” The boy looked to be about six or seven, and his bright blue eyes were wide.

  She crouched down to be face to face. “Dylia. Companion to Emperor Darmon. What is your name?”

  “Taxess. Taxess Moralic.”

  “Hello, Taxess. I am here to try and find out what happens next. This is a horrible situation, and everybody needs a home as quickly as we can find one.”

  One of the teen girls walked up and said, “We are going to end up as bondservants with contracts. Sold to the highest bidder.”

  Dylia suddenly understood why Darmon had sent her. “Bonding isn’t the worst thing. You get educated, trained, you find out what you are best at, and then, you get the assignment which lets you practice your new trade.”

  The teen girls gathered together and whispered, “The sex trade.”

  “Um, no. That is a specific situation, left to adult men and women who are consenting, including surrogacy. However, after those contracts, you still need an education. You will need to study, learn, and find something that you enjoy and are skilled at.” She stood and faced the young ladies. “I was bonded out to pay my brother’s debts when I was about your age. I had one skill at the time, and I had to study in my tiny cubicle at night for five years.”

  The teen girl snorted. “What was your skill?”

  “I am a musician.”

  “Prove it.”

  Dylia smiled. “Bring me an instrument.”

  One of the ones who looked like he was nearly eight darted over to a wall and brought her a flute.

  Dylia looked at the jam that stained the instrument, and she ran her fingers over to make sure that everything was usable and not jammed.

  She pursed her lips and blew a quick scale before playing a soft lullaby.

  She pulled her mouth away and licked the jam off. “Anything else?”

  One of the girls grabbed a lute that was higher up the music wall. The lute had to be tuned, but it was perfect for strumming out a light summer ballad.

  She put it aside and looked at the teens who were not quite women yet. “Anything else?”

  One of the girls whispered, “A harp?”

  Dylia looked at Nanda.

  “There is one in the corner. It’s rather large.” Nanda shrugged.

  Dylia went to the corner and found the covered harp. It was lovely. She sat and found the tool kit to tune the harp, but it was already in tune. Someone had loved this instrument.

  The kids were gathering close, and the girl who had said harp was watching with her eyes wide. “Can you play the ballad of the northern winds?”

  Dylia nodded and began to pluck the first notes. Kids sat, and the teen who had wanted to hear the song stood nearby with tears slowly tracking down her face.

  She finished the song, and the notes drifted off in the air. She smiled and covered the harp, noticing that there was blood on the cover. Her hands moved reverently as she put the ties back on.

  The girl was still crying. Dylia crouched next to her. “Your mother’s harp?”

  She nodded. “When the house was collapsing, she pushed me out and then told me to pull it out. If I had been faster, she might not h
ave died.”

  Dylia took the girl in her arms. “She made a choice, and it was a stupid one. You are right to love her and honour her, but people panic in those moments, and their reactions aren’t always logical.”

  While she was holding the girl, she felt something, something familiar. Oh, no. “What is your name?”

  “Abeline.”

  “Well, Abeline, when they found you, did they put you in a rejuvenator to help you get stronger?”

  “Yes. How did you know?”

  Dylia smiled. “Did it make this noise?” She mimicked the droning whir of a kekxite rejuvenator.

  “Yeah. That was it. But, I have heard it before.”

  “Oh, you have?”

  “Yeah, this area has a large grouping of people with Strygga Syndrome. We get treated when we are toddlers.”

  Dylia slowly released her hug and nodded. “That is right and proper. I had Strygga Syndrome, too.”

  Abeline smiled. “I can feel it.”

  She chuckled. “Of course, you can. Well, what do you want to do with your life?”

  “I always wanted to be a defender, but that isn’t a normal thing to want to be.”

  “Don’t worry about normal. Nothing is actually normal. It is over or below. If you see someone who thinks they are normal, they aren’t.”

  Nanda came to her, and she was flapping with excitement. “He’s here.”

  Dylia smiled. “Nanda, did my father send any equipment here? Large rejuvenating units?”

  “Why, yes. About twenty years ago. They have been invaluable. They work wonderfully on the children when they are fading.”

  “I am sure they do.” Dylia smiled. “Well, I can see you have a genuine need here that the bond-training area can definitely answer.”

  Nanda frowned. “Is that for the best?”

  “Yes. Don’t worry, as they come of age, they will mostly find placements in the imperial household.” She patted her aunt’s shoulder. “It will be fine.”

  Dylia walked to the front where Darmon was entering. She curtsied to him, and he extended his hand, kissing the inside of her wrist. “Have you learned what they need?”

  She nodded, distracted by the man who was trying to push into the doorway behind him. “I listened, and I learned a lot.”