The Dedicated, Chp 1

Standard Date: 3089

Janelle Fallar caught a glimpse of the clock in the courtyard as she ran through the palace on her way to her bedroom. She tried without success to be graceful and run with her skirts held up in one hand. She grimaced at the sight of the clock, knowing she was late. It was already the ninth hour of the day, and the ambassadors from Littal were due to arrive in less than an hour. It was her duty to be present when they were greeted. She knew Jared would be furious with her for being absent all morning. She still had to dress and meet Jared, her husband, for last-minute instructions. He always wanted to see her at least thirty minutes before any official function, to check her appearance and make sure she had the details correct. He was the ruler of their combined empires, and would not tolerate it if she made any type of mistake.

Jared and Jannelle Fallar had been married for a little over three years; their marriage was a political one, and neither had any love for the other. Jared had been fighting in the civil war when Jannelle was still playing with dolls. They were both heirs to the opposing sides in the war; their marriage had been arranged to form a bond between the weary houses. For a people tired of fighting and loss, the peace was welcomed, and they embraced the joining with enthusiasm. Unfortunately for Jannelle, the peace did not extend to her personal relationship with her husband.

She slowed to a stately walk as she entered the palace proper. At least she hoped it was stately. Jannelle could feel her cheeks shining with a light gleam of sweat. She was sure she would never get used to the heat of Jared’s planet. She saw servants hurriedly putting the finishing touches on the elaborate decorations. She smiled brightly, even as a stab of apprehension gripped her. She loved these meetings, but she dreaded Jared’s caustic words to her. He never had much good to say to her, but he knew she could handle herself correctly enough. It was expected of her to be at his side to greet the diplomats. But that wasn’t enough for him. To make sure that she did not say or do the wrong thing, Jared made Jannelle do extensive studies of the visiting peoples. She often knew as much as he did.

As she flew up the grand curving staircase to the level her rooms were on, Jared caught her eye from the library. He was there talking with his closest associate and friend, Merrick Talmor. He frowned darkly at her and started toward her. She heard Jared all her name, but she pretended not to notice and quickened her pace. Jannelle did not realize that he was coming after her, and burst into her room. Breathless from her quick return, she called to her maid to come and help her dress.

Her maid, Rika, was in a state of near panic. “Lord Fallar has been asking for you for quite some time. He was very upset,” Rika told Jannelle with a note of chastisement in her voice.

Jannelle’s face twisted into a frown, and she struggled with the buttons of her dress. Finally she had them undone, and slid it from her shoulders. As she dropped her loose dress to the floor and prepared to step into the elaborate one her maid held for her, Jared came through the door.

“Where were you?” he demanded with preamble. He looked at her intently, his dark green eyes flashing, and she felt her face flush hotly.

Rika let out a squeak of surprise at his abrupt entrance, and quickly pulled the pale dress up to settle it on Jannelle’s shoulders.

“Fayn’s youngest child was ill and confined to bed. I was reading to her. I’m sorry I was late. I forgot the time,” Jannelle explained as she fumbled with her dress, not looking at him. She couldn’t quite work the fastenings, and looked helplessly at her maid. Rika smiled and came around to fasten them for her.

Jared let out a sigh of frustration. “I don’t have time for this right now. I am very disappointed. You know how important this day is. How many times have I impressed it upon you that that I want you by my side at all official functions, not wandering the palace grounds? We must always present a unified front and be the picture of a loving and happy husband and wife?” The sarcasm was light with his last few words, but Jannelle caught it, as he probably intended her to. “I thought you were more responsible. If you act like a child, you shall be treated as one. When the official greetings are over, you will come back to your room. I won’t have you disrupting the day any further.”

Jannelle looked up in surprise. “Jared, I was looking forward to talking with the ambassadors! You know that. I’ve talked about it for days.”

Jared’s eyes narrowed slightly, surprised at her outburst, and Jannelle knew his temper was growing short. He never had much patience where she was concerned anyway. “Then you will learn a lesson and act more responsibly in the future.”

Jannelle held her tongue, knowing he would lash out at her if she defied her any more. In the three years they had been married, she had learned how much bitterness he had where she was concerned. There was no warmth anywhere in his heart for her.

Jared Fallar was a very good ruler. He had common sense and foresight. Jannelle had to admire and respect him, even if she feared him a little at the same time. It seemed that none of the qualities that he showed with others, the ones that made him the strong ruler that he was, ever came her way. He held together the empire that was once split by years of civil war. Their marriage had joined the two factions at the end of the war, and he had always presented the arranged marriage. The death of his father had made him bitter, but he realized his responsibility to the healing empire, keeping it joined as one. Jared knew that to cement peace, he and Jannelle must seem unified to the citizens of the empire. But he also realized that he didn’t have to like her. Those closest to him knew the truth.

Jared was tall, with the blackest hair, and his darkly tanned skin and emerald eyes, coupled with an almost permanent frown, gave him an almost menacing look. He was wearing snug black breeches, tucked into soft leather boots with the cuff turned down just below the knees. His creamy silk shirt was buttoned up to his neck, and he wore a black silk coat with golden embroidery on the cuffs and collar. He was thirteen years older than Jannelle, and the eight years of peace had not softened him at all, nor taken away his soldier-trained skills. He kept himself in the utmost physical condition. He had the natural grace of the born warrior.

Jannelle was the opposite of Jared in every way. She was light of skin and hair, and her golden hair fell cascading over her creamy skin. Her light blue eyes sparkled with joy, most of the time. Except when she was with Jared. Then they clouded with nervousness and worry. She knew Jared disliked her to the point of contempt. She knew why he felt this way, so she stayed out of his way as much as possible. But to everyone else, she was a pleasure to be around, with a ready smile. Jared’s presence made her uncomfortable, but there was nothing Jannelle could do but bear it. The sudden sound of his voice made her jump slightly.

“The Littan contracts are some of our most important. Have you studied as I’ve asked you to do?”

“Yes, my Lord,” Jannelle replied.

Jared looked briefly at Rika. “You may leave us,” he told her.

Rika curtsied on her way out, giving Jannelle a look of comfort and support.

“Will I be allowed to attend the reception tonight?” Jannelle asked.

“Of course,” Jared replied, walking over to her and adjusting a stray curl of her hair. Jannelle almost shrank from his touch, but caught herself in time. “And we will be the picture of happiness together. You will be on your best behavior.” His hand moved down to rest on her shoulder, and Jannelle could feel the heat of his hand though the fabric of her dress. Jared moved back a few places to look critically at her appearance, but there were no flaws to be found. She was wearing one his favorite dresses. The soft pink gown was close fitting from the tips of the sleeves resting on her wrist, from the shoulders to the waist, where it flowed around her legs in a whisper of fabric. Jannelle her golden blond hair piled intricately on top of her head, having done it earlier in the day, with a few wisps falling on her face and neck. The pink of the gown made her flushed cheeks look all that much more charming, but her glistening pink lips were drawn down at the corners, waiting on his approval.

He nodded to her, and she smiled. There had been times when he was not satisfied, and had made her change everything. He always supervised her wardrobe on important occasions. He had an eye for fashion, and took pride in the beauty of his wife, even if he did not in anything else about her.

Regaining her enthusiasm for the day’s events somewhat, she began to talk excitedly to him as he strode over to her dressing table and picked through her jewelry for something suitable. “Did you know the Littans are empathic?”

Jared ignored her, knowing she was just rambling. He pulled out a long string of gleaming white pearls and went over to her.

Jannelle continued. “It’s almost impossible to deceive them. They’re much sought after for advisory positions, almost as much as a T’kyel Warrior. I can’t wait to meet them. I imagine it will be very interesting. I’d like to get Ambassador Ye’ana’s opinion on the theory that certain telepathic abilities are inherent in most humanoid species.”

As he looped the strand of pearls around her bare neck and fastened it, Jared set his jaw. “I will not have you bothering the ambassadors with your silly notions. Those are matters for serious scientists.” He gave her one last appraising look and motioned for her to follow him. He continued his lecture as they left her rooms.

“We will be quite busy over the next few days, reviewing our treaties and trade agreements. You will make yourself unobtrusive during that time. If I happen to require your presence,” and the the sideways look he gave her dismissed that notion completely, “I will send for you. You will be present at the official functions. You will be charming and beautiful. The Littan contracts are very important for us. I want no interruptions. Do you understand?”

“Yes, of course. This time will not be any different from any other. But please, Jared, don’t make me sit in my room all day. I’m sorry for this morning. May I go to the library?” Her crystal blue eyes pleaded with him.

“Well, I can’t imagine you doing any harm in there. You may, but stay away from my offices. We will be busy. And Jannelle, there will be no need to you to keep Rika late tonight. You will be staying in my room. You may dismiss her early.”

If Jared noticed her steps falter, he didn’t mention it. Jannelle knew that he didn’t love her. In the first months of their marriage, she had tried to please him, this larger than life man, to be his friend. She had had a childish dream of him falling head over heels in love with her, but he had quickly disabused her of that notion. When he brought her to his chambers, he was gentle with her, but always distant. He had known her inexperience when they were wed, but never once had he asked if she wanted his touch, or even how to help her enjoy their nights together. These things did not concern him at all. So his words cast a dark cloud over an otherwise exciting day for her.

Jannelle managed a tight smile. “Of course.”

They were nearing the doors to the meeting hall. It was just now striking the tenth hour on the great courtyard clock, and the ambassadors would soon be arriving. Just then she heard the hum of their shuttle as it landed softly on the landing pad in the rear of the palace.

Jared took her hand and led her through the doors. She missed a step in her nervousness and in an effort to match his long stride, and his hand tightened in a subtle warning on her own. She called on all of her regal training in preparation for the day ahead. She would not disappoint him.