Free Knights of Desire [Flights of Fancy 2] (Siren Publishing Ménage Amour) by Melodee Aaron Page A

to apologize for fate." He chuckled. "Come on. We have to get moving."
     
    * * * *
     
    As they made their way to the briefing room near the transporter area, Elsa studied Talbert and Harris. Flanking her on each side, neither man looked at all happy. The science people had managed to narrow down King Sayid's location enough that they were able to snatch him and only three of his bodyguards from the palace instead of a couple of dozen people. One of the bodyguards had gotten a little aggressive after the transport and wouldn't put his sword down, so security had stunned him.
    Talbert wasn't concerned about the guard. He was upset Elsa had kidnapped a king. Objectively, she understood his concern. This wouldn't make Talbert's job as a diplomat any easier.
    On the other hand, Chris was worried about how Fleet—Admirals Q and Reeves in particular—and the government—the Emperor and Senate in particular—would react to the kidnapping. Again, Elsa fully understood his concerns.
    But her gut told her this was the right thing to do. Leaving people on the planet, let alone sending more, would expose them to risks they didn't understand. She needed answers, and King Sayid was the man who could give them to her. Maybe she could have asked him to come talk to her, but her instincts told her he would refuse. The man had an inordinate amount of pride and attitude.
    She turned her head to the left to look at Harris. "How's the guard?"
    "Medical said he's fine, just a little goofy from the stun is all."
    Talbert spoke up. "I'd be more worried about the king's reaction than the guard's condition."
    Elsa had had it up to her eyeteeth with Talbert's snide remarks. "Lieutenant, I know you diplomatic types aren't regular Fleet, but the sooner you get it through your head this isn't a democracy, the better off you'll be."
    "Then why I am here?"
    "To advise me, give me a different perspective based on your training and experience. The bottom line is the final decisions are mine, and mine alone." She paused, getting in check the anger that tried to well up. "I'm responsible for the lives of everyone on this ship and for the ship itself. I take that responsibility very seriously. If it comes down to losing a crewmember or pissing off someone, then somebody's going to get pissed off." She hesitated and looked directly into Talbert's eyes. "If I have to, I'll blast a planet back into the stone age to save one crewmember. Do I make myself clear?"
    Talbert stared for a moment. "Crystal clear, Ma'am."
    "Good."
    They reached the door to the briefing room, and the Marine guards stood aside as the party went inside. King Sayid and the remaining two bodyguards sat at the far end of the conference table.
    Sayid looked up. "Lieutenant, what is the meaning of all this?" He pounded the table with his balled fist to emphasize his irritation.
    Talbert was a good diplomat, and despite his clear personal views, he kept to the plan. "Your Majesty, I offer my apologies for all of this, and I understand you're angry. This is Captain Davis and Commander Harris. They need to talk with you, and this seemed like the best way to ensure that happening in a timely manner." Elsa had to give the young man credit for being smooth.
    "This is highly irregular and an insult."
    She decided it was time to get to the point. "Perhaps it is, Your Majesty, but this is the way things will be. As you know, one of my crewmembers, Sergeant Rawls, has vanished. The last time we had sensor contact with her, she was with two of your knights, Landis and Clemmons. Now we can't find any of them. Any ideas?"
    The king looked confused. "Why should I have any ideas? Other than knowing they are in Yamat Valley, I don't keep tabs on their exact movements."
    Elsa expected as much. "Very well. You and I are alike in that regard. We have good people working for us, and we trust them. That means we don't have to watch them every minute. But I need answers about this war you have with the dragons.