Page 2 of Star Bringer
I sigh glumly as I survey my reflection. “Then I’m definitely a new species. Hopefully of the nonpoisonous variety.”
She takes the dress’s cape out of the closet and wraps it around my shoulders. Because, obviously, a giant purple cape is what it was missing.
I glare at her, which she completely ignores as she fastens it with a brooch in the shape of a starburst just beneath my neck.
Before I can try to talk her into leaving the cape off—overkill is an actual thing—the comms beep. Lara and I exchange a look, and I sigh heavily. Only one person would be calling the comms link right now, and her title begins with E and ends with double S. Lucky me.
“What does she want now?” I mutter as I slide into the seat in front of the screen. Or, more accurately, try to slide. The dress makes it impossible, so I end up moving the chair aside and just standing.
“To wish you luck, I’m sure.” Lara’s answer is circumspect—exactly how a companion-in-waiting should answer. Her expression, however, falls for a second into total annoyance.
I snicker as I answer the call.
The Empress narrows her eyes on me from the viewscreen. “I hope you don’t plan on laughing like that when you get off the ship, Kalinda. What is it I always tell you?”
“A royal’s mask never falters,” I recite for the millionth time.
“That’s right. I know you have this, Kalinda.” She sends me a smile that, for just a second, actually appears indulgent. But then naturally, she follows it up with, “Don’t make me regret sending you off-planet. Do I need to go over how important this is?”
I mentally roll my eyes. “I know how important it is, Mother. And I’ve wanted to come aboard theCaelestissince before she became operational. I promise I won’t embarrass you or the Empire.”
“See that you don’t. Also, make sure Ambassador Holdren doesn’t get you alone. He has an agenda that doesn’t coincide with ours, and I don’t want you making any promises to him. And avoid the delegate from Glacea. From what I understand, he tends toward inappropriate conversation, and I would prefer to avoid any moreunfortunate incidents.”
She gives me a look that I know is supposed to shame me. But I stand behind my decision to push Councilor Samalani into my mother’s Verbosnia bushes. Well, except for the fact that my hands had to actually come in contact with him to do it.
On the plus side, he hasn’t said a single thing about my breasts since.
A knock sounds on the door. “Sorry, Mother, but Arik is here. I have to go.”
“He’ll wait until our conversation is through, I assure you.” But she relents. “Don’t overpromise. Don’t ask too many questions. Don’t forget the Imperial face, and you’ll do great.”
As if I could ever forget the Imperial face. Don’t smile. Don’t frown. Look interested but bored at the same time—all without actually moving a facial muscle. She’s had me practicing since I was five.
“I won’t. Thank you for this opportunity, Mother.” I sign off before she can say anything else. I’m nervous enough already without any more of her awesome pep talk.
“We’re so lucky to have her,” Lara says. Again, totally circumspect. But also totally not.
There’s another knock.
“Coming, Arik,” I call.
Lara opens the door for me, then steps back to let me precede her into the main section of the pod—which is about half the size of the royal quarters I was just in.
“I’m sorry to rush you, Your Highness,” Arik says with a respectful bow of his head. His green eyes glow with amusement.
“Not at all,” I tell him. “I was just speaking with the Empress.”
He gives me a sympathetic wink. Like Lara, he’s been with me all my life and was a friend of my father’s. I trust him implicitly.
My other bodyguard, Vance, is a new member of my entourage, and I’m pretty sure he’s reporting to my mother. I’d trust him with my life but not my secrets—if I had any.
A sudden, sharp beeping splits the air. I jump, and both Arik and Vance look concerned. I mentally roll my eyes again—like they’re the only ones who are allowed to be a little on edge? This is my first time representing the Empire. Surely I’m allowed a few nerves.
I’ll be fine once I’m out there.
The pilot must have noticed my reaction, because he smiles at me before continuing to press a bunch of buttons that all look exactly the same to me. “It’s just the final system-check indicator, Your Highness,” he says. “We’re cleared to disembark.”
“Thank you.”
