Ever After (7 page)

I’m as shallow as some of those women chasing after me—the same ones I’ve accused of only wanting me for sex, power, or my title.

The taste of hypocrisy was bitter. For the second time in just a few days, Lieutenant Keira Foley had made him feel less than worthy of his vaunted position, less than a noble Mythrealian, and more like a scoundrel.

As he stared at her, she’d occasionally glance his way. Only a few more guests in the receiving line and she’d be done with that formal duty.

Eventually, with everyone seated or finding beverages of their choice—and with several of Immy’s cronies now ensconced at the table, keeping her amused—Dillon politely excused himself. He didn’t miss the telltale smile on his grandmother’s face as she nodded toward Keira, as if to express not only pleasure but approval.

The first formal dance of the ball was about to be announced, as was custom. In a rather unexpected rush of possessiveness, he vowed no one was having that dance with Keira—no one but him.

Chapter Four

If there was any personification of magnificence, Dillon Greenleaf matched and then gold-plated it.

As he strode toward her, his gleaming eyes filled with something she hadn’t seen before, Keira felt stirrings in her breast. So strong were the sensations that they riveted her to the spot. She couldn’t have moved if commanded to.

Seven feet of muscular, black-uniformed Mythrealian meant to take the first dance with her. From the top of his almost blond head—with a long braid flowing over his left shoulder—to his black tunic, decorated with numerous service awards from what she’d heard were no less than five campaigns against pirate hoards, the man was a vision of heroic splendor. The black leather of his belt and tall boots shimmered in the light of a hundred chandeliers, and stood out against the white, polished marble floor and walls. The music must surely start soon. If not, she’d embarrass herself by standing there in a pool of drool.

His square jaw was set. His full lips turned up at the corners. She knew he meant to have some answers about her appearance. Nothing would suffice but the truth, however simplistic that truth turned out to be.

Finally, after making his way through the hundreds of partiers, all of whom seemed intent on speaking to him, he found his path to the edge of the crowd and moved more swiftly in her direction. And though it appeared he’d spoken amiably with those who’d queried him, his eyes were on her the entire time. His sparkling green gaze never once wavered.

Surely, others must see his persistent journey to her side. But the gossip his adamant path toward her might cause just didn’t matter. Because of her godfather’s retirement, things were going to be different from now on. She’d already made that personal vow.

After swallowing hard, her feet finally lost the leaded feeling keeping her in place during Dillon’s journey. She lifted the edge of her floor-length gown and took the last steps that put them only a foot apart.

He slowly looked her over. Curiosity in his face turned to something else. If she had to put a name to it,
passion
would do.

Part of her was sad that he’d never looked so raptly at the dull little lieutenant whose oversized uniform wouldn’t draw comment. But another part of her felt utter joy at the demanding, even possessive-like gaze he now bestowed.

“Why the disguise? Why did you hide the way you looked for the entire time you’ve been on Mythreal?” he asked, without any hesitation.

She had to look way, way up to respond. “I-I suppose you think there was something sinister in my actions?”

“No. Anyone who knew you before coming here was probably aware that you’re General Trenton Albright’s goddaughter. Therefore…the rather innocuous, overly pale makeup, what appears to have been a rather bland brown wig, coupled with an oversized uniform, doesn’t make sense. Why, Keira?”

“I dressed the way I did to keep certain higher ranking officers from using me as their personal piece of grab-ass. If Godpoppa had known why I’d really used the disguise, he’d have gone ballistic and would have castrated a few of those men a long time ago. So…instead of my getting a few other people into trouble, and taking the chance of having my reputation with Earth Force trashed…or of having my godfather’s reputation linked to anything so infantile as defending me…I took up a disguise and just told him that I liked dressing the way I did because it took less time in the morning to get ready. My appearance was still within regulations.”

“And the general actually believed that?”

“I never gave him any reason to think otherwise. A few other women on his staff had to do something similar. All to avoid some rather nasty, upper-level Earth officers who liked to hit on us the way pirates hit planets with truncheon bombs. Godpoppa simply perceived the ruse as truth.”

“That doesn’t say much for Earth’s supervisory staff that the women within your ranks would need to resort to such subterfuge lest they fall to the mercy of certain ill-mannered brutes!”

“It doesn’t say anything for the women who wouldn’t stand up to them, either! But it worked. And no woman has a personnel file recording issues about not getting along with supervisors—remarks, however unfair, might keep them from being promoted.” She lifted her chin. “From now on, no one is ever gonna put his hands on my butt again. I’m not going to hesitate to put my right fist in somebody’s face, even if it
is
another general, admiral, or commander who could send me to some godforsaken place like Taurean Seven.” She sighed before continuing.

“Godpoppa’s not here anymore. He can’t be forced to defend me, thereby starting gossip as to why he’d have to and causing Earth Force a lot of bad publicity.” She paused then began again with a much less angry tone. “The whole officer cadre isn’t like that! Just a few in the upper echelon who should know better and whose
other
female companions
might
have been players in order to get promoted.”

Dillon slowly shook his head. “That was the real reason you were being sent to the Taurean sector, isn’t it?”

She simply lifted one shoulder and let it fall. “Like I said. It’s over. I’m not acting or donning costumes any longer. Even if it is true that dressing the way I did was quicker in the morning. Whatever I have to do, I’ll be the only one in my family taking the consequences.”

He slowly shook his head. “Sadly, as advanced as we are nowadays, there are still those who’d abuse their powers. I was almost one of them, but for an entirely different reason.”

“Your mistake was one of miscommunication. And we worked it out. For others, if I put on makeup, fix my hair, have my uniform altered so my breasts are to best advantage, they could help me make quite a name for myself!”

He slowly nodded in understanding. “Ironically, you might still be accused of using your newly displayed charms on Mythreal to get promoted. At least, some of those same officers you speak of will suggest it.”

“True. But I don’t care. Godpoppa still won’t be here to get hurt by whatever I do. No gossip will fall on him.”

“You knew your godfather would protect you if he’d discovered any breach of regulations like those you’ve just describe. And he’d be brought up on charges for his actions.”

“As I said…he won’t be here. I’ll do what I have to.”

“Understood and in total agreement!” he assertively agreed. “All I can say is…those people who judge others by their appearance never saw the woman I spoke with in the woods a week ago.
That
person was a fearsome thing to behold. More importantly, she forgave when it became crystal clear what a dolt her adversary was.” He paused. “In my own way, I was no better than those men who’d have discriminated against you, Keira. I saw a woman in a man’s world and assumed wrongly.”

She spoke more softly. “Not without some reason for suspicion. Besides, you have a very solid reputation. You’re both beloved and trusted. You’re not the kind of man that would corner me in the armory, and try to
convince
me to go to bed with him for the offer of a promotion.”

Dillon’s hands automatically clenched, she put hers over them quickly.

“The situation with you and me was quite different,” she continued. “You were doing what you thought was right. You made a mistake in judgment. Let’s say no more about it.”

He paused for a very long moment, staring down at her with a serious expression where none was warranted.

“What’s wrong?” she asked.

“I wish I’d met you a long time ago. And now you’re leaving. With a change of command you’ll be given a few days or a week off as is custom. But you won’t ever be back this way again, will you? Stints on Taurean Seven can last five years or more. And that you were inflicted with such odious duty, from some self-serving prick in an officer’s uniform, makes me want to find the bastard and pound on his face!” He put his hands on her shoulders. “Give me his name, Keira. I’ll make sure the bottom-sucking vermin gets what’s coming—”

“I’m not going to Taurean Seven,” she smilingly interrupted. “I think I confused you. I apologize.”

He lifted his chin and a startled expression covered his face. “What?”

She laughed. “General Trask has changed my duty station to Mythreal. Since everyone thinks Godpoppa originated the latest strategies, Fisk thinks I should keep formulating more as if—”

“As if they’d been left behind, in a long series of pre-designed operations thought up by General Albright,” he finished as he slowly nodded. “Keira that will leave everyone believing you had nothing to do with them. That’s not fair.”

“Since past centuries have turned the military units of Earth into law enforcers, and since we’ve been stationed at these embassy outposts on all sentient planets in the galaxy, we’ve struggled to get piracy under control. Lives on all sides have been lost. What’s not fair is watching our enforcers die with broken-hearted families left behind, just for the sake of somebody’s pride. If anything I say or do will help slow or stop the pirates, and get their children medical help in such a way that could change hearts and minds, then it doesn’t matter where the damned plans came from.” She smiled and added more.

“Fisk will know. So will most of his cronies in Allied High Command. What they do with the information is up to them. It’ll be Fisk’s job to convince all the other embassy commanders that this scheme will work. If they’re not in agreement, nothing I ever said or did will have made any difference. Thinking up the ideas is just a very small portion of what has to happen before long-range tactics get implemented. Furthermore, I was told by General Fisk that there are brand new cadets out of Earth Force Academy who actually
want
to go to that horrid place. Just to make a name for themselves. That knowledge releases me from bouts of conscience over letting them. I was only telling you about Taurean Seven to explain why I changed my appearance.”

He gazed down at her for a long moment before speaking. Then his tone softened. “You really are something else. I…I’ve never in my life met anyone like you.”

“I’m just me. I’m trying to do the best I can.”

“I’ll say you’ve done far more than your best, Keira. I only wish your godfather could see what the next months will bring. Something tells me that news of your achievements will make him proud.”

“I hope so. I’m just happy he’ll be back on Earth with friends. Especially since doctors indicate his latest tests have arrested his disease. In fact, if he stays stable, he’ll be able to travel on his own and come back to visit me for Christmas. Of course, I’m not happy he’s leaving so quickly but it’s what he wants. And I’ll support his decision.”

“I’m happy to hear the treatments are working.”

“Thank you. He and I have said our goodbyes. His last orders were for no escort. I’m to remain at the ball and not accompany him to the airfield. The idea is to minimize the shock of his sudden retirement. So, all in all, things are not so dire for either him or me. Whatever happens, I mean to do my duty to the best of my ability. And without hiding behind any disguises. I’m tired of it!”

“Let any man harass you and I’ll be the first to—”

“I’ll take care of myself,
Sir
Dillon. You just dance with me,” she merrily said as she put both hands on his chest. “I don’t think there are any rules prohibiting us from…
fraternizing
…though I’m quite sure we’re being watched and gossiped about at this very moment. Care to take on the Mythrealian version of paparazzi? It could get brutal.”

He laughed loudly. “Let the damned fools talk! My Earth-born grandmother fraternized with a Mythrealian prince and eventually bore him five sons. One of them eventually became our king. No one said a damned thing about it then and won’t now. They wouldn’t dare. But uh…what is the nature of this
fraternization
, Keira. Are we talking a professional, public lunch now and then or…something more?”

She simply lifted her brows and remained silent. When he smiled down at her with his heart in his eyes, melting into the floor seemed a very real possibility.

Whether coincidence or Fate’s design, the orchestra leader led his musicians into a fanfare signaling the first dance of the evening—
The Sleeping Beauty Waltz
by Tchaikovsky.

Dillon automatically slid his right hand to the small of her back.

She put her left palm on his shoulder and placed her right one in his free hand—a classic waltz position. Though he was a good fifteen inches taller, he held her in his arms like a man used to gracefully maneuvering a woman around any floor.

As the only royal presence on the ballroom floor, protocol dictated the matter. Dillon was to be seen leading the first dance with whomever he chose. That this particular ball was an Earth function and an Earth holiday made no difference. The highest ranking member of royalty—or enforcers of the uppermost rank if no royalty was present—always led the first dance and had for centuries.