Free Halt by Viola Grace Page B

Commander Rikkat’s file, and from there, it was only a few touches before he ran into a solid data roadblock. “Uh, guys. Her file is locked.”
    Quell was at his side in an instant. “What do you mean?”
    “I mean that there is no record of her activities beyond the transfer to Decolian 12. The remainder of her file has been expunged.” He handed the data pad over to his commanding officer.
    Quell used his clearances, and still, he was unable to hack through to Commander Rikkat’s life before her current posting. “What the hell? You said she was your ex-partner?”
    “Yes, she is the one I talk about.” Silver talked about her, dreamed about her and wanted her with every fibre of his being, but his situation as a Guardian meant that there was no way for them to be together. Casual encounters were as close as he got to any real relationships.
    A knock at the door brought them around to face it.
    Silver inclined his head to the major domo of the Decolian royal family. The slight nod from Shusain was all that he needed to feel at home once again.
    He had been posted here for two years, and this was the first time that he had made it back into the palace during full light. The formal dinner meant that he was in his best dress uniform, the fabric mask tight across his face. Quell and Flick were in their own versions of the same.
    “The royal family awaits, Guardians.” Shusain inclined his head to them as a group.
    Silver nodded with one final glance at his wrist display. Where the hell had she gotten that dress and why had she worn it to a Companion bar?
     
    * * * *
     
    Tazzy sat in the window seat of her quarters and read quietly. This was how she had wanted to spend her day, not sitting in a Companion bar and waiting for a brat to show himself.
    A chime brought her out of her Decolian history book. “Yes?”
    The door to her quarters opened, and the royal family’s major domo entered. “Good afternoon, Commander Rikkat. Your presence is requested at dinner.”
    Tazzy blinked. “You are joking, Shusain.”
    “I never joke about formality, Commander. You have twenty minutes to prepare. I will return for you then.”
    He left her, and she had only one thing on her mind, What am I going to wear?
     
    Twenty minutes later, she was ready in her Decolian 12 imperial peacekeeper formal uniform—a tight bodysuit with an ankle-length skirt slit up the sides to each hip. Snug boots and her hair braided tightly into a cord completed the outfit. Her rank insignias were on her shoulders and outer thighs.
    Shusain nodded his approval and gestured for her to follow him.
    Tazzy chuckled and walked the halls with her boots clicking on the stone tiles. “Any idea as to why I was summoned?”
    “They needed an eighth for dinner, and Prince Sollas offered your name.”
    Tazzy snorted. “Lovely. You know that I am going to put in for another free day.”
    “Good luck with that. I know you have only been here for a week, but this place is surprisingly active. Keeping on top of the royal family is a full-time job.”
    “How long have you been doing it?”
    “Fifty-three years. Each year has had its own challenges, but I would not trade them for anything.”
    Tazzy chuckled, and as they approached the formal dining room, she whispered, “When is the last time you had a day off?”
    He grinned as the huge double doors opened. “Fifty-four years ago.”
    Sollas came to greet her immediately. He seemed rather disappointed. “You are still lovely, but I preferred your previous clothing.”
    “Formal dinners are formal dinners, Your Highness. This is my formal uniform.” She extended her hand, and he kissed the back of her knuckles, flicking them with his tongue.
    The three Guardians on the far side of the room drifted over, and Sollas tucked her arm around his forearm, making the introductions.
    Quell was the same species as Yuula. His serpentine facial expression was polite and friendly. “Pleased to meet you,