The Fight for Creation: Book 01 - Life Warrior (25 page)

“How did you know I’d come?”

“Because you do your duty to the Realm and even if you don’t like Jon, you would never do anything to embarrass his father.”

Molly’s wrist unit went dark and she said, “But I do like Jon.” She put her head down and said, “I do.” She took a deep breath and teleported to the landing bay. A handsome captain saw her appear and said, “Sir, if you’ll come with me.”

Molly followed him into one of the small sleek ships that escorted her to Castle Gardner and it teleported out of the landing bay and arrived directly above the castle. She looked at the Captain and he said, “Have a good time, Sir.” She saw him disappear and found herself in a huge dressing room. A tall blonde lady said, “Please take off your uniform and come over here.”

Molly shook her head. They must have removed the teleport suppression field to allow her to come directly to the castle. That was the last coherent thought she had as she was swept up by a staff that talked continuously as they dressed her for the reception.

• • •

Jon entered the family room and Sara said, “You’re so handsome.”

“Thanks, Mom. I think you’re prejudiced.”

“I am, but you are.”

Jon turned to Robert, “Dad, I’m sorry I didn’t bring an escort. I just didn’t have time to find one.”

Robert said, “You don’t know?”

“Know what?”

“Your mother has found one for you.”

“Mom, that’s even worse.”

“She’ll tell everyone you invited her.”

Jon shook his head, “It’s never good to lie, especially at a Royal Reception. They’ll know she’s not being honest.”

“Not if she is being honest.” Jon turned around and saw Molly in a stunning emerald colored gown. “You did invite me first.” Jon just stood there and stared at Molly with his mouth open. Molly said, “Is something wrong?”

Jon shook his head, “You’re beautiful.”

Molly turned red and said, “Sara’s staff could make a pig into a beauty queen.”

“Molly, you’re beautiful. Why did you come?”

“Your mother explained the protocols of Royal Receptions and I couldn’t let you embarrass your father.”

“Thank you, Molly. This means a lot. I know you don’t want to be here, but it really means a lot.”

Sara said, “Well alrighty then, let’s get this over with so the two of you can get back to defending the Realm.”

Robert said, “I also appreciate you coming, Molly.”

Molly did a perfect bow and said, “I always listen to my favorite Duke.”

Robert smiled and pressed the key that teleported them into the Royal Yacht. Twenty minutes later they teleported down to Bristone.

• • •

Molly looked at Jon and saw he was nervous, “What’s wrong?”

Jon looked at her and said, “Molly, I’m adopted. There are quite a large number of Royals that don’t think my parents should have been allowed to adopt a child that would be in the line of succession. This is my first Royal Reception and I expect some animosity.”

Molly put her hand on his shoulder, “Don’t worry; I’ve got your back.”

Jon smiled and shook his head, “I can’t think of anyone I’d rather have here.”

Molly looked at Jon and was surprised at how good he looked in the Gold and Crimson Bristone colors. Sara was right; he was very handsome. The four of them entered the huge ballroom and the crier announced them. Everyone in the room turned and looked their way. Molly was nervous that she didn’t pass inspection. There were many beautiful women in attendance and she noticed that Juliette was one of the prettiest. Her rose and royal blue dress was gorgeous. Molly leaned over and whispered, “Jon, why is everyone wearing similar colors?”

“Everyone that is descended from the Gardners wears the rose and royal blue of the original Stars Realm. Everyone that is descended from the Bristone Emperor wears the gold and crimson of the empire.” Jon paused and said, “The current Queen is a descendent of the Gardners. The next one to follow her must be from the Bristone Empire.”

“I thought you said that if she had a child, then they would rule the Realm.”

“They would. But if the child doesn’t have children or the Royal Family happened to die, then a Bristone descendant will follow them.”

“What happens if the Bristone descendant chooses not to wear the crown?”

Jon looked at Molly and said, “Then it passes back to the Gardners.” Jon saw Molly turn and look across the room. Jon said, “Juliette is the next Gardner.” Jon saw the Queen take her place and he said, “We need to go stand in the reception line. We’ll be done with this before long.”

“Don’t worry about it. I’m learning a lot.” Jon smiled and took her hand and led her to the Queen’s left side. Molly saw Jon’s parents standing next to the King. “Why are you not standing with your parents?”

“The current Rulers always stand next to the King. The younger royals that are in the line of succession stand next to the Queen.”

“I thought you said you were next in line for the succession.”

“My father is next, but he’s older than the Queen. If he dies before her, I become the next one in the line of succession.” Molly nodded and saw many of the minor royals that weren’t in line staring at her. Jon whispered, “They’re wondering who the beautiful woman is I brought.” Molly looked at him and he said, “I’m serious.”

Molly looked back out at the crowd and saw the expressions of the women. She knew that expression; envy. She smiled and decided that she was not an embarrassment. She relaxed and started taking the measure of the people in the crowd. Then she saw Juliette come forward and stand next to her in line. Oh this is just great. And she had the troll in tow. The Queen stood and everyone bowed. Molly forgot Juliette and found herself staring at Queen Victoria. Now this was a Royal that one could believe in.

Victoria made a speech and the Reception Line began. All of the members of the Royalty moved through the line bowing, before greeting the real rulers of the Realm. Molly stood beside Jon and he held her hand. He gave it a slight squeeze each time she was supposed to curtsey and she finally found the rhythm. She began to recognize the markings of Royal Rank and was able to anticipate who to curtsey to. Juliette smiled the entire time and leaned over and whispered, “Trying to move in on me are you?”

Molly continued to smile and said, “Not hard to do when you moved out so fast, idiot.” Molly smiled, curtseyed, and leaned over and said, “If you don’t get that troll of yours to stop leering at me, I’m going to shove that stupid grin down his throat.” Molly smiled again and continued greeting guests.

Juliette looked at James out of the corner of her eye and saw Molly was right. He was leering at the beautiful woman in green. She leaned over and whispered, “James, Jon’s escort asked me to inform you that if you don’t stop leering at her she is going to shove your grin down your throat.”

James smiled at the next guest in line and whispered, “Fat chance.”

Juliette said, “She’s a Colonel commanding a battalion of Life Warriors. I suspect she can do a lot more than that.”

Juliette saw James expression immediately change and he looked away from Molly. “I could take her.”

Molly said where James could hear, “Not even on your best day.”

Juliette stifled her smile and didn’t want to like the Colonel, but was finding it difficult not to. She was furious that Molly didn’t have to wear royal colors so she stood out in the room like a nova. It just wasn’t fair. She glanced at Jon and he never even so much as looked at her. She kept her forced smile and wondered how Creation could be so unfair.

• • •

The long reception finally ended and Molly said, “I need to sit down. I don’t know how you Royals do this.”

Jon smiled, “Not easily.” He led her to a table and said, “I’ll go get us something to drink.” Molly watched him start moving toward the bar but he was stopped every ten feet by Royals that wanted to shake the hand of the Warrior that stopped the Dremor. Molly figured she would get her drink in an hour. She looked out at the crowded ball room and saw Juliette coming her way. Oh this is just marvelous.

Juliette came up and sat down. Molly lowered her chin and stared at her. Juliette said, “Are you moving in on Jon?”

Molly stared at her and then said, “I’m tempted to tell you that I am, but I understand that it’s not appropriate to tell a lie here. Jon asked me to come and I refused; initially. His mother took the time to explain what it meant to his family if Jon came without an escort and I decided to accept his invitation. He’s my commanding officer and is the finest man I’ve ever known.”

Juliette sat back and breathed a sigh of relief. Molly said, “Don’t get your hopes up. If you go through with this marriage, he’ll be done with you forever. He might be anyway regardless of what you do.”

“There’s still hope.”

Molly stared at Juliette and knew that she would be a master at batting her eyes and crying at just the right moment to get her way. She shook her head. Juliette saw her and said, “What?”

“You’re an idiot.”

Juliette stood and smiled, “Perhaps; we’ll see what happens.” She walked away.

Molly looked across the room and Jon hadn’t made it to the bar. She turned around and saw a middle aged woman sitting at her table. Molly tried to remember who she was as the woman said, “I’m Cassandra Gardner. I understand you called my daughter by a derogatory name. That is punishable.” Molly smiled brightly and Cassandra wondered why.

“By all means let’s discuss why I called your daughter an idiot. Let’s bring out the forced marriage she’s going to have to endure because of your treasonous actions that you refuse to accept responsibility for. It’s not surprising she’s an idiot, her mother is a moron.”

“How dare you!”

Molly sat back and said, “Are you that stupid? She’s marrying a troll that will become king of the Realm and take control of it away from her.”

“Juliette’s stronger than that.”

Molly said, “You have the IQ of a tomato. When they have children, that troll will threaten their lives and guess what Juliette will do. She’s already demonstrated that she puts your welfare ahead of the Realm. She’ll fold like a cheap tent and that monster she’s marrying will rule the Realm. After further consideration, I take it back; I’m insulting a tomato to compare you to it. Go accuse me of disrespecting Royalty. I’d just love to have an opportunity to defend myself against the charge. Now you should leave. The sight of you makes me sick. I can’t believe my Warriors are giving their lives to defend you.”

Cassandra felt her anger go to an explosive level until Molly mentioned Juliette having children. Then her heart went into her throat. She stood and walked away from the table and went over to William and James Dodd. She smiled and said, “It won’t be much longer.”

William smiled and patted James on the back. “No it won’t. We’ll soon have some more little Dodds running around.”

Cassandra managed to maintain control and said, “I suspect you might want to delay having a family.”

James smile was sinister, “Oh no! We should start right away.”

Cassandra saw him look at William with a knowing smile as William nodded. That woman was right. What have I done?

• • •

Jon came back with drinks and said, “Has anything happened?”

“Nope, just sitting here taking a load off my feet.”

“Are you ready to go?”

“Whenever you are; you need to fulfill your Royal Duties.”

“I’m done. Let’s go say goodbye to Mom and Dad.” Jon pulled her chair back as Molly stood and he said, “Molly, thank you. Thank you so much.”

Molly smiled, “Just don’t mention you saw me in a dress and we’re even.”

“I won’t say anything but I’ll never forget how beautiful you are tonight.” Suddenly Jon pulled his sleeve back and looked at his wrist unit. “The Dremor are attacking the planet. We need to go.”

They quickly walked over to Robert and Sara and explained why they had to leave. Robert said, “Go and defend the Realm. You are the true Royalty in this room.” Robert pressed his wrist unit and they were teleported to one of the attack ships. Molly was still digesting that Robert meant what he said.

• • •

Juliette was disappointed that she wasn’t able to get Jon alone. She desperately needed to talk to him. If he would take her back, she would consider calling off the wedding. She had to know if she still had a chance with him.

• • •

The Queen called William Dodd over and said, “The wedding will be delayed.” William started to frown and Victoria said, “The Dremor are attacking the planet we saved and we’re expecting them to attack one of our main planets shortly. I am not going to leave the safety of Bristone to attend the wedding and you will not have a wedding with one of the succession candidates without my presence. Is that clear?”

William felt immediate fear and said, “Yes, Your Majesty. May I bring my family here until the threat is over?”

Victoria felt disgust for a Royal that would leave his people to protect themself but she said, “You may. Just don’t get in the way of our defense.”

William bowed and went to get James.

J
on linked and said, “Teg, what’s the status of the forts for Ross?” Molly listened in to Jon’s side of the conversation. “Get them moving. Send half of them to the planet while the other ten are being fully charged. Send the first ten after the second are at full power. The Dremor found the planet and are attacking it now.”

Molly saw Jon’s thoughts and, though he tried to hide it from her, she saw that he was amazed at how beautiful she was tonight. She also saw that he was not going to violate her desire to not have another relationship. She thought back to Sara’s remark, “If you want to wallow in your misery, you’re welcome to it.” She couldn’t get that thought out of her mind.

• • •

Molly arrived back at her quarters and took off the emerald dress. She hung it up carefully and started putting on her uniform. She pulled her boots on and sat on the edge of the bed. She stared at the mirror across from her and saw the sorrow written on her face. She lifted her wrist unit and pulled up the frequency. Sara Robbins appeared on it, “Your Majesty, I never want to face the sorrow I’ve had when Jeremy died.”