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“Inform them I will contact them at once. Establish the link to my office in ten minutes. Kahn out.”

He focused on her once more. “No. If something were wrong with Alex, Medical Command would be the one to contact me.” He paused, warring with his sense of duty and his sense of responsibility to her. He could see by the look on her face that she knew something wasn’t right.

“Kahn?” She searched his eyes, his face, his mind.

“You said you trusted me for now. Can you trust me a little farther?”

“What’s that got to do with this? What’s happening?” she asked without answering his question. She wasn’t going to deal well with this. Not that he blamed her.

“I don’t have time to explain now and I may not see you again until we dock.” His grip on her shoulders tightened. “Whatever happens, believe in me. I promise, I’ll take care of you and Alex. Whatever the cost.”

“You’re scaring me, Kahn.” Her face had gone pale and he could feel the adrenaline rush through her body as if she were preparing for battle.

“Don’t be scared,tarae. I’ll take care of everything. You just have to trust me.”

Anna replied softly, “That’s a lot to ask.”

Kahn sighed as he got out of the bath and dressed. It wasn’t much, but at least she hadn’t completely rejected him. Before he left her, he looked at her one last time. “I love you,tarae. If you never believe anything else I tell you, believe that. Cling to that no matter what happens.”

Kissing her lightly on the mouth, he left.

?* * *

Kahn’s presence hadn’t actually been required for the curt statement from Military Command that he cease all contact with Anna. His father could simply have issued the order and been done with it. As head of Military Command, Kahn knew Kerrek had a job to do. As his father, Kerrek knew that if he extracted a promise from his son face to face, Kahn would not break that promise. Not that Kahn had been given a chance to explain the situation. The order was given, Kahn had acknowledged the order, and the “conversation” had been terminated.

Damn them all!

He could only guess what Mikkril had said to shift the blame from himself. Well, Kahn supposed he’d find out soon enough.

They were docking on the main spaceport orbiting Gothe’mar. They were here and Anna still didn’t know the prejudices that awaited her when she actually met Mikkril. If his people felt the same as Mikkril, if they were not willing to accept an off-worlder mate to their future king, Kahn wasn’t sure what he’d do. As current ruler, Kerrek could smooth things over a bit if he chose to, but would he? Kahn could only guess what was in his father’s mind.

Still, Kahn had promised to take Anna to Alex first thing, and that was what he intended to do. He just hoped he didn’t have to disobey too many commands to get it done. Duty had never seemed so heavy. And it struck him that nothing had ever been more important to him than his duty to his planet and his people.

Until now.

?* * *

When the two warriors came to escort her to the planet’s surface, Anna was a little disappointed. She had expected Kahn would be there to take her to her son. Instead, the two silent giants flanking her took her to a small spacecraft that was to carry them to the surface of Gothe’mar. No matter how many times she tried to get the sentinels to tell her where Kahn was, she got no answer. In fact neither of them spoke to her, or even looked at her, except to give her orders.

Time seemed to crawl as the three of them sat in silence during the two-hour trip to the surface. Why they had to take a spacecraft at all was a mystery to Anna. She remembered vividly having her son vanish from her arms, and watching Kahn disappear. It seemed like a wasted effort, but she’d endure it. In silence. She’d be damned if she’d complain even once.

When she finally exited the tiny craft, she was met by Kahn and three other imposing looking men. The relieved smile she flashed him faded as she caught the look in Kahn’s eyes. Merciless didn’t even begin to describe it. She could feel the desperate hope within him that she’d trust him, but beyond that nothing else. And his features certainly gave away nothing.

“Medical Command has recommended you be present when they awaken your son,” one of them said. Funny, he looked remarkably like Kahn. His expression gave away nothing, but something in his voice disturbed her. He sounded almost… disgusted. Like he was looking at a particularly revolting insect. “I am Kerrek. You will come with us.”

Anna gave Kahn a brief, questioning look before nodding her agreement. She didn’t think she could have spoken if she wanted to, she was so nervous. She was going to get her son back!

The foursome led her down a series of crowded hallways, each becoming less and less congested. When they reached a hall leading to a large, gray door, Anna found her entourage was alone. No one spoke until they finally stopped before the entrance and Kerrek turned to her.

“You will do as instructed by the doctor without question,” he said.

“Of course. Thank you for letting me be with my son for this.”

The man just looked at her. When he spoke, disdain and contempt oozed from every word. “You are here because Medical believes it will be less stressful for the boy. Your feelings in this matter are of no concern to me or anyone else. If it were not for Medical’s strong insistence you be present, you wouldn’t be.”

Anna was stunned. Something was very wrong. She looked to Kahn, but he was not facing her, nor was anyone else. He desperately wanted her trust, though. She could feel the need beating at her stronger than any of his emotions ever had before. The necessity for trust was so powerful, it created a stabbing pain in her temple and she almost fell to her knees.

Somehow, she managed to walk steadily through the door when itwhooshedopen. In the center of the room was an incubator-like contraption. Knowing in her heart that machine was where her son lay, she headed for it, unbidden. A vise-like grip on her shoulder stopped her, causing her to wince. One of her escorts effectively, and painfully, halted her approach. He never once looked at her.

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