Page 6 of Star Bringer
“Speak, Ambassador Holdren,” the princess says.
“Your Highness, I wish to ask, on behalf of the people of Permuna, why the last two grain deliveries have been rescheduled. My planet is running short; people are going hungry. I—”
The ambassador from Vistenia steps forward. “I hardly think this is the time or the place, Holdren.”
“I think it’s exactly the time and the place. We were promised the deliveries would not be interrupted. And now—”
I watch, fascinated, but the princess holds up her hand and the ambassador stops speaking immediately. “I’m sorry for your hardship, Ambassador. I will bring this matter to the Empress’s attention when I return.”
“You think she doesn’t know?” His voice is bitter, irreverent, and an answering murmur runs through the increasingly tense crowd. It also causes the princess to raise her brows, but in surprise or arrogance, I can’t quite tell.
Merrick moves in front of me, and though I want to push him out of the way, I understand why he’s nervous. While Serati is tightly controlled by the Sisterhood and we hold ourselves separate from the other planets, even in the monastery, I’ve heard rumors of unrest among our neighbors. For decades now, the temperatures in the system have been rising and the agricultural productivity declining. Frequent solar flares are wreaking havoc with communications, and the exponential warming is making parts of the inner planets completely unlivable.
Our scriptures tell us that it will be okay, that a period of great joy will follow the upheaval. I know I just need to have faith. But it’s hard when so many people are suffering.
As the sounds of dissent grow louder, the princess’s eyes sweep the crowd. “Silence, please,” she starts. “Let’s not forget why we are here today. I’m sure Dr. Veragelen will have news of a solution to all our problems.” She turns back to the ambassador. “I promise I will look into this matter.”
He looks doubtful but bends his head nonetheless. “Thank you, Your Highness.”
I half expect the same sort of comments from the ambassador from Kridacus, a shrewd-looking woman in an orange gown,but the expression on her sun-lined, white face seems purposefully blank.
And then it’s my turn. Princess Kalinda shifts her stern face and kind—I knew they’d be kind—eyes to me.
“Be calm. You can do this.” Merrick’s hand touches my shoulder, and immediately my racing heart slows as I feel his strength, both mental and physical. He might find me a trial, but for the last few years, he’s been family, teacher, friend, protector, all rolled into one.
If he says it will be okay, then it will be okay.
The princess is even more beautiful close up,with the same light golden-brown skin and dark red hair of the Empress. But her skin has the same swirling silver pattern that Merrick’s does, and in this light it’s like she almost glows.Standing next to her makes me feel drab and young, despite the fact that we’re the same age.
“Ambassador Fr—” A frown flickers across her face. “You’re not Ambassador Frellen.”
It sounds like an accusation, and I wonder if she recognizes me and if that’s why she’s frowning. Because she is here for a solution to the Dying Sun and I exist because there is none.
For a second, I can do nothing but blink up at her and wait for her to say something to me about our beliefs. When she doesn’t, and instead just continues to frown at me, instinct takes over, and—even as I’m thinkingdon’t bow—I do it anyway. I drop into a low, deep curtsy that has Merrick’s hand tightening on my shoulder as though he can stop my descent.
Too late, Merrick. Way too late.
I’m nearly to the floor before he pulls me up like a puppet. But the damage has been done. Everyone saw what I did—most especially the princess.
I’m expecting the worst when I finally work up the nerve to glance at her face. But she’s actually smiling, amusement flickering in her eyes.
“I don’t think I know your name,” she murmurs.
“I’m Rain,” I say. “It’s an honor to meet you, Princess.”
I hear Merrick’s indrawn breath behind me, because, of course, I’ve made another mistake. Flustered, my face burning with mortification, I do the only thing I can think of to make this better. I reach out to touch her…and… Yes, it’s official. I am a total and complete disaster.
Thankfully, Merrick yanks me backward before my hand can connect. At the same time, the big man in the body armor pushes himself between the princess and me. As he does, he reaches for the weapon at his side.
“For goodness’ sake, Vance,” the princess mutters. “Stand down.”
Vance looks like he wants to argue, but eventually he steps back. And I don’t blame him, which is why I do my best to look harmless. It’s not hard, considering I’m 1.6 meters tall with a total baby face. But still, after the mess I just made, I’m not taking anything for granted.
Except the princess’s lips are twitching. I’m a source of amusement, which is completely humiliating.
“I think proper introductions might be in order,” she says.
Merrick steps forward. “Your Highness. May I introduce Rain, High Priestess of the Sisterhood of the Light andtemporaryambassador of Serati.”
