The Englor Affair (22 page)

Hawthorne was next. He bowed, then came forward and grabbed Simon’s hands.

“I’m very sorry, Your Majesty.” Then he went to Aldred, clapping him on the back in a brief hug.

Oxley mimicked Hawthorne almost to a T, then Wycliffe came in. By that time Simon had had enough.

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“Don’t do it. I swear if you know what’s good for you, Wycliffe, you won’t even think about it.”

Wycliffe grinned and caught Simon in a hug. “You okay?”

Simon hugged him back. “I will be.” He turned to the other men. “Dunston, secure the room again please. Milords, Roc, please have a seat.” As the men sat in chairs about the study, Simon propped himself on the desk. “I’ve a favor to ask. I need advisors. You men share my political views and are better informed of happenings in parliament than I.

I need people I can trust.” He looked at Hawthorne and Oxley. “You two are some of my uncle’s dearest friends and he trusts you. Therefore I trust you. Both of your intelligence speaks for itself.” He looked at Roc and Wycliffe. “I know neither of you are as versed in politics as Hawthorne and Oxley, but I’ve no doubt if I need anything you will both be there. You will do your best to learn the things I need to know to rule this planet. I’m not asking you to give up your positions in the Marines.”

“I’m honored, Your Majesty, and I accept,” Hawthorne said.

“I am as well, Your Majesty,” Oxley added.

“I’m in,” Roc announced.

“Me too.” Wycliffe got up and poured himself a scotch.

“Uncle?” Simon crossed his arms over his chest, unsure of why his uncle hadn’t yet accepted.

“Me?” Aldred sputtered.

Simon frowned.
Who else?
“Of course you.”

Aldred’s eyes practically sparkled, but he didn’t smile. “I’m honored, my boy.”

“Good. Now everyone stop calling me Your Majesty. It’s Simon or Si,” Simon groused. “Wycliffe, pour everyone else a scotch as well, then come sit down. We have things to talk about.” He looked right at Hawthorne, who was gazing at Oxley. It was an odd look, almost… Simon glanced at Oxley, who sat on the small love seat with the duke. He wasn’t any closer to Hawthorne than need be, but his crossed leg was touching the other man and his arm rested on the back of the seat. Were his fingers toying with 152

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Hawthorne’s collar?
Well, I’ll be damned.
Simon smiled. Like father like son it would seem.

Roc got up and helped Wycliffe with the drinks. After he handed one to Simon he sat down.

Simon cleared his throat. “Hawthorne, how well do you know the King of Regelence?”

“Call me Leland. And quite well actually. Not only are our sons married, I’ve become friends with Steven and his consort Raleigh. Jared and I spent Christmas at Townsend Castle this past year.”

“What do you think of them and Regelence in general?”

“I think they are great men and Regelence is a wonderful planet.” Hawthorne’s brow furrowed. “Why do you ask, Your—Simon?”

“It’s come to my attention that Regelence and Englor may have a common enemy.”

Hawthorne nodded. “Ah. You should speak to my son. He’s of much the same opinion.”

Hawthorne knew about the IN trying to pit Englor against Regelence? Simon frowned. “Okay let us start from the beginning. Tell me what you know, Leland, and I’ll tell you what I know.”

Simon told them about Benson and what he knew of the queen’s involvement, leaving out that he and Payton were working together. Payton had asked him for more time to tell the admiral. Simon couldn’t imagine the admiral would be that mad, but Pay had disobeyed a direct order even if he hadn’t known who Si was at first.

Leland nodded. “You really need to talk to Nathaniel. Let me know when and I’ll arrange it.”

Simon had had Roc check to make sure Payton was still on Englor, so Simon would talk to Payton before he met with the admiral.

“Colonel,” Dunston interrupted, “if you are going to make it to the palace in time for the coronation ceremony, you should get ready now. Your armed escort will be here in thirty minutes.”

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“I guess that’s our cue. Leland, please talk to the admiral and see if he can meet with me. We need to see what we can do about opening talks with Regelence about a possible alliance.” Simon stood, ran his hands down his face and straightened his shirt. He dipped his head at his advisors. “Gentlemen, I’ll see you at Hollister Palace.” He hated the palace, but he supposed he really should move into it. His entire life had just changed. He was now facing the moment he’d always prepared for…ready or not. He felt better about the Regelence situation, but he still had to get through this ceremony and stop Parliament from disbanding the Marines. He’d figure out what to do about Payton later.

~ * ~

A gust of wind nearly toppled Payton on his way up the abbey steps. Or maybe he just missed the step entirely since his mind was on Si.

A hand caught his arm in a firm grip, steadying him. Turning his head, he saw a marine in his dress blues. The man smiled and gave him a crisp nod. “Watch your step.”

Hoping he wasn’t blushing, Payton dipped his head in thanks and kept going. Snow pelted his cheeks and swirled all around him. A storm was kicking up again. A storm that no one in their right mind would be out in. But out they were. The place was packed with royal guards dressed in red and gold and marines in their dress blues. They made the gray day look colorful, but they were also a stark reminder why everyone was here. The king and queen had been assassinated and Simon was being crowned the new king. Payton’s heart hurt. He missed Si already. He should be worrying about St. Albins seeing them together but he couldn’t help but mourn his loss. This would be the last time he saw Si since Payton was leaving tomorrow.

“Payton?” Nate looked back at him. “Everything okay?”

Payton nodded and hurried to catch up to Nate, Nate’s brother and Captain Kindros.

He hadn’t realized he’d lagged so far behind. The past few days his concentration had been shot. He hadn’t seen Simon since that night. After St. Albins barged in on them, Payton had stayed. He shouldn’t have, but he couldn’t leave, not until he’d made sure Si was okay. Payton’s stomach knotted up. Out of all the men on the base, how had Payton 154

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wound up with the one he needed to stay away from? The one he could never have a future with? He’d actually hoped for just a moment that night that maybe he could make their relationship work. He’d even had the temerity to wonder if Si would wait for him to turn twenty-five and come back to Englor. Conveniently, he’d forgotten Si would one day be King of Englor and his planet would never accept their relationship.

“Father is to be named one of King Simon’s advisors along with St. Albins, the Marquis of Oxley, the Earl of Wycliffe and Major Proctor Bennett of the Englor Marines,” Jared said to Nate as they entered the abbey.

What?
Nate’s dad, the Duke of Hawthorne, was one of Si’s advisors? What if St.

Albins told Hawthorne what he’d seen?

“Payton, are you all right? You look a little pale, dear.” Captain Kindros looped her arm through the crook of his elbow. “Oh no, that wasn’t very proper of me, was it? I’m sorry, Your Highness.” She began to pull her arm away.

Payton stopped her, tucking her arm into his. “It’s quite all right, Captain.” It was actually nice to have someone walking with him. He was feeling a little lonely of late.

And he liked Captain Kindros. She was nice, but very commanding. She sort of reminded Payton of his old nurse, Christy, only prettier. “And it’s Payton or Lieutenant, remember?”

Smiling, she nodded. “Thanks, Payton, and call me Brittani. I’m not here as an officer, remember? Englor society frowns on female military personnel.” She wrinkled her nose, showing her disapproval. “I much prefer Regelence society. There I’m a hero just like the men, I just don’t get flirted with as much.” She sighed. “Most of the men on Regelence only want to hear about my battle record. I guess at least here they see me as a woman.”

Payton chuckled. Unlike Nate and Payton, she was out of uniform. She looked every bit the lady at the moment with her dark hair swept up and wearing her lovely burgundy court dress that Nate had procured for her. “I don’t know, Brittani, I think I’d rather be seen as a war hero than a piece of meat.”

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She laughed. “So says one of the hottest catches on Regelence.” As they entered the cathedral, she lowered her voice. “What’s it like for you here? Is it hard getting used to not being royalty?”

“Not at all. I love it actually. I think I prefer the IN lieutenant to the prince.”

There were five aisles with four sections of pews in the center, and stands along the walls of the abbey. Payton escorted Brittani down the center aisle after the Hawkins brothers. The cathedral was huge, with beautiful stained-glass windows casting color all over the place. The gray stone floors were covered with red runners leading to an enormous altar. The center platform had pillars at each corner, with a cross and candles lining the back wall. The barrel-vaulted ceiling was at least ten stories high. Its oppressiveness was a stark reminder of why they were here.

Nate and Jared stopped in front of them, indicating the second row of seats on the right of the center section of pews.

Good galaxy, how had they gotten so far inside? Payton let go of Brittani and entered the row first. She slid in beside him and then Nate sat next to her with Jared on the outside.

Glancing up at the altar where the throne sat, Payton swallowed the lump in his throat. They were so close. He would be able to see Si really well this last time, even if he wouldn’t be able to talk to him. Somehow that didn’t make him feel any better, just lonely.

Jared leaned past Nate. “Payton, have you ever been to one of these things? This is a first for us.”

“I was at my father’s when I was eight. I don’t remember a lot. Mostly I just remember being bored.” He wished he could obtain the same nonchalance he had then.

His stomach was tied in knots. Just like his father’s coronation, he didn’t want to be here.

No, that wasn’t exactly true, he wanted to see Simon crowned King, but he hated the thought that this would be the last time he’d see Si.

Brittani touched Payton’s arm. “Do they have a ball to celebrate the crowning?”

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“Yes. I wasn’t allowed at my father’s, I was too young, but under the circumstances of why Colonel Hollister is being crowned, I doubt it will be right away. My father’s coronation was under similar circumstances and there was a mourning period before the ball.”

The music started and a hush fell over the entire assembly. The archbishop entered from the side of the altar in his white and gold robes and pontifical hat. He stood facing the back of the abbey.

The doors opened and sunlight poured in. It was dull due to the storm, but even still it painted the red carpet a shade brighter where it landed. The archbishop began reading a psalm, but everyone stayed focused on the back of the cathedral.

Payton knew the exact moment Simon entered. Everyone stood and the tension among the crowd seemed to ease. It was hard to explain, sort of like the crowd had been holding its breath, waiting for their leader. Payton held his breath too. His lover was being crowned King. Si was Hollister and his parents had been killed. It was nearly as surreal a thought as thinking that Payton actually had a lover.

The door shut with a loud boom and Payton’s heart raced as he waited for his first glimpse of Simon in days. He rose up on his toes trying to see, but it didn’t do much good. Nearly everyone was taller than him. It seemed like several minutes passed, but it was probably only a second before Simon walked past them on his way to the altar.

Si wore a thick, blue velvet robe lined with ermine over his Marine uniform. His shoulders looked even wider than normal in the heavy fur-lined robe. His posture was as sure and commanding as it was regal. His auburn hair looked blood red and his pale skin appeared tanned in the many chandeliers of candles lighting the abbey. He took Payton’s breath away just as he always did, even with the somber look on his face.

Simon’s advisors followed him in, with St. Albins in the lead carrying the crown.

Hawthorne followed carrying a scepter, Oxley was next with an orb, and Wycliffe and Roc walked side by side in Englor Marine dress uniforms. Wycliffe carried a sword.

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opposite the center aisle from Payton, Nate, Jared and Brittani. Simon stood beside the throne.

After placing the regalia on the altar, the archbishop held out his arm toward Simon.

“Sirs, I here present unto you, King Simon. Your undoubted King.”

As one the crowd said, “God save King Simon,” and trumpets heralded the occasion.

Simon sat on the throne and the archbishop proceeded to take his oath. Sweat dripped down Simon’s temple and his hands clutched at the arms of the throne as Simon responded loud and clear to each of the archbishop’s questions.

Payton’s chest swelled with pride for Si, while a pang of regret hit him in the heart.

He’d miss their working out together, and their working together as much as the sex.

Dust, who was he kidding, he’d miss just looking at Simon.

Payton lost himself in Simon’s deep voice, and the rest of the ceremony passed in a blur. He remembered how that voice sounded in his ear. His cock stirred at the reminder and his hands began to sweat. He couldn’t believe that this powerful man had been his, if just for a little while.

When the archbishop picked up the crown, Payton scooted slightly to his left to get a better view, wanting to see the exact moment Si was crowned. As the crown was placed on his head, Simon peered up under a fall of red bangs.