Page 16 of Tamed

The uniformed guard’s authoritative order sent resentment surging through Verbet. Never before had he been confronted when he entered Mercelon Palace. This had been his home for years before Jevara was born. How dare anyone question his presence here?

“The emperor is expecting me,” he snarled and kept right on walking.

The guard grabbed his arm and brought him up short. “You must pass through the munitions scanner, sir. I’m sorry. There are no exceptions.”

Choosing to believe the intrusion was part of his half-brother’s paranoia, Verbet walked through the scanner then hurried toward the private elevator on the far side of the entrance hall. The palace was gaudy, all done up in gilt and cream. He preferred a more soothing environment. The observation wall, on the other hand, was spectacular, making visitors feel as if they floated in the ocean much like the palace itself.

Verbet stepped off the private elevator into an antechamber nearly as ostentatious as the lobby above. The male attendant, who was seated behind a transparent desk, didn’t bother looking up from the data feed he was scanning. Another wave of annoyance washed over Verbet. Never before had he been treated with such discourtesy.

“Tell my brother I’ve arrived,” he insisted angrily. “If it’s not too much trouble.”

The attendant glanced at him, made a subtle motion with his hand, then said, “Your appointment just arrived.” Without speaking to Verbet, he returned to the data feed.

The blank-faced guards flanking the doors to Jevara’s presence chamber made no move to open them, so Verbet took a seat. Waiting around to see Jevara was also new. This wasn’t paranoia. Jevara was putting Verbet in his place. He was also making Verbet’s final decision much easier. They were blood relatives. Verbet had nearly died trying to fulfill Jevara’s irrational need for a conduit, and still this utter disrespect was his reward.

“The emperor will see you now,” the attendant announced twenty minutes later. He didn’t bother to make eye contact.

The guards opened the doors and Verbet walked into the lavish room, hands clasped behind his back. Jevara used to receive him in the royal apartment where they would often drink and fuck together. This formality was another reminder that Verbet was no longer family.

Jevara sat upon his ridiculous throne, another set of guards standing on either side of him. The throne was elaborately carved from polished wood and rested upon a marble dais. The guard on his right was Raajel, head of security for the emperor. Verbet had known him since childhood and had gone drinking and whoring with him frequently in his youth. Raajel offered a subtle nod, his dark gaze filled with regret.

“What do you need?” Jevara sneered, crossing his legs. “I don’t have a lot of time.”

Verbet had no intention of groveling before this creature. If their relationship was over, so be it. But Jevara was the only family he had left, so Verbet wanted to give him one final chance to pull his head out of his ass. If that didn’t happen, they would become enemies. “I’ve decided to relocate, start over somewhere else.”

“That’s probably wise,” Jevara agreed without hesitation, his face tipped up arrogantly.

“Because of our past connection, I still feel responsible for you,” Verbet said, forcing false sincerity into his tone. “With me gone from your life, who have you chosen to lead your army?”

Jevara shrugged. “General Stilton is next in line. I see no reason to look elsewhere.”

“Stilton is a trustworthy soldier,” Verbet agreed. “He is also expected to retire within the year.”

Jevara’s gaze narrowed and his lips pressed into a thin line. “Is this where you argue with each name I propose and prove that you’re indispensable?”

Actually, that was his basic plan. Some kernel of hope deep inside Verbet kept him believing that Jevara would realize how valuable they were to each other. “No one is indispensable.” This was all so ridiculous. Coming here had been a mistake. He started to ask how much longer Jevara intended to punish him, but he refused to speak the words. He had done nothing wrong. Jevara had no right to punish him. “If you’re satisfied with the choice. Why the fuck should I care?”

Jevara snickered as he pushed to his feet. “So you are angry with me. I would have been disappointed if you were not.”

“Is this some sort of twisted game?” Verbet snarled. “I nearly died for you.”

“You’re responsible for the loss of my most valuable ship.” Jevara paused dramatically between each statement as he descended the stairs one at a time. “Over a hundred of my best warriors died while under your command.” His voice rose with each new charge. “And where is my fucking conduit?” By the time he reached the bottom, Jevara was shouting.

“You sanctimonious prick,” Verbet sneered, jaw clenched. “Every planet in this star system had ships out hunting for those females. No one could have done better.”

“You promised not to fail, so where is my goddam conduit?” Jevara accented the question with a forceful shove.

Verbet folded his hands into fists and glared at his half-brother. “I tried to bring you one, but there were complications beyond my control.”

“A good commander anticipates complications.” Jevara shoved him again. “You are fucking useless!”

“I had no idea the warship would be there and you know it,” Verbet shot back, tired of being shoved around like a lackey. “I set my trap for a hunter team. Cylex ambushed me in a warship.”

“Irrelevant!” Jevara yelled, stomping his foot like an enraged child. “You failed. You failed. You failed! At every fucking turn you failed.”

Blinded by anger and frustration, Verbet drew back his arm and punched his half-brother squarely in the face.

Jevara’s head snapped back, arms flailing, as he pitched over backward. He landed flat on his back across the dais, his head slamming down against the edge of a marble stair. A sickening thunk sounded in the room and reality seemed to pause. White noise filled Verbet’s ears and his body refused to move. Then a river of blood flowed out from beneath Jevara’s head, drawing Verbet out of his shocked stupor.

---