Heroine of Zenina Read online

  Heroine of Zenina

  Book 2 of the Zeninan Saga

  Giselle Marks

  ©Giselle Marks 2017

  ISBN1722009780

  ISBN-13 978-1722009786

  Author bio Giselle Marks

  Giselle Marks is an English writer, poet and novelist, born in London, who has been writing most of her life. Currently Giselle lives in the beautiful Isle of Man. Her family is grown, contented and expanding. She spends most of her time writing.

  Her historical romances ‘The Fencing Master’s Daughter’ and ‘The Purchased Peer’ and ‘The Marquis’ Mistake’ have been receiving good reviews. Together with her fellow writer and cover artist Sarah J. Waldock, Giselle wrote and illustrated ‘Fae Tales’ an anthology of fae and mythic tales updated to modern times and intended for teenagers and adults. All four books are available. The ‘Princess of Zenina,’ is the first in the sci-fi / fantasy Zeninan Saga. She has also completed another Regency romance, ‘A Compromised Rake’ and the first of a Regency gypsy series, ‘Jessica’s Tale – Book One, The Gypsy Countess series,’ although she is considering alternate titles. She is currently writing the epilogue to an episodic fantasy book which may become a series, which is currently named ‘Wishing Well Cottage’ and writing further stories for her Inspector Krishnam Raju who first found existence in ‘Fae Tales.’

  Other long- term projects include a possible book of her poetry. Her poems have been published in Female First and she has entered two of their contests, scoring a win and a commendation. Within the Isle of Man her poetry has been included in the local Lit Fest poetry trail and in ’Manx Reflections’ a local poetry anthology. Giselle has had short stories published in a number of anthologies. Her Regency romance novella is still available in ‘The Chocolate House – All for Love,’ a charity anthology which supports GOSH, Great Ormand Street Hospital for children which is in London.

  A regular newsletter is available about my writing from [email protected]

  @GiselleMarks1

  http://ginafiserova.wix.com/gisellemarks

  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7304857.Giselle_Marks

  Heroine of Zenina by Giselle Marks

  Book Two - the Zeninan Saga

  What happened in book one –Princess of Zenina

  The first book in the Zeninan Saga introduced us to Princess Marina, second daughter of Queen Kerina, current ruler of Zenina and the loosely governed Zeninan Empire. During a visit to the royal hunting planet of Qu, Marina rescued a number of refugees. Protecting the group was a one armed mercenary, who had been cashiered from the Markaban army over his believed involvement in the Xandabal massacre of civilians. Marina took the refugees to Hemithea, the capital of Zenina. She placed the two children, Floren and Jessina Callabam, together with Father Debenden, a catholic priest, with her Bishop Father Niall O’Flaherty until she could locate their parents. We met Marina’s family: Kabeneev, her elegant and brilliant scientist father, her feckless elder sister Plavina and her bisexual brother Divak, who romances the rescued woman, Ondiella, who has given birth to a half-Kurgian son. Marina fights her aunt, Princess Zadina, High Priestess of the Fertility Cult, but the fight is stopped by Queen Kerina, so she is not credited with the win. She dances for her mother’s 60th Jubilee as reigning Queen but returns home without Bromarsh, who, now that his arm has been regenerated, chooses to stay that night with her mother, the queen. Marina returns home to her slave Charles who adores her. The queen, along with other precognitives, has forseen her own death, and possibly that of her beloved daughter Marina.

  Chapter One - Making Waves

  Divak raced to see Kapalina at her apartment overlooking Mermaid Square as early as he thought he could hope to be admitted. Kapalina was busy directing her servants to pack what she needed to take with her to Ziga.

  “I’m sorry you have to go, Kapalina,” Divak said fairly genuinely giving her a hug.

  “Don’t be, I’ll have a wonderful time. What are you after Divak? I have not got much time as we are setting off before midday,” Kapalina said directing her jewel box to be taken to her bank for security while she was off planet. Her mind was more on what needed to be done before she left than on talking to Divak.

  “There was a girl, slim but curvy in the right places. Exotic honey coloured skin, dark almond eyes. She had a part Kurgian baby and she was leaving the resettlement office yesterday. I want her name and to know where I can find her, that is all,” Divak said smiling at Kapalina and trying to charm the information out of her.

  “How would I know, Divak? You know I spent yesterday in agony with my back until your sister Marina healed me, Dalzina was in my office yesterday, but she’s in a filthy mood. I would not risk asking her anything, if I was you. I don’t recognise your description but there can’t be many like that in Hemithea,” Kapalina said hustling him off with a beautiful smile.

  Divak noticing a change in Kapalina decided she must be in love and wondered who the lucky man was. He could think of no other explanation for the softening of her expression and the air of gaiety she wore. Divak’s conclusion was coloured by his own thoughts of a romantic nature. He was not going to brave the dragon if Dalzina was in one of her furies. She was very accurate when she was throwing things. It was a serious set-back but he did not give up easily, asking his friends if they knew the lady in question. He drew a blank. Divak rarely roused himself to activity but he was not stupid, so he considered how to locate Ondiella. None of his friends knew her but a lady with her looks would not go unnoticed for long in town. He knew Hemithea’s gossip machine too well for that. She could not have been in town long. He decided to check the hostels as she had been coming out of the Resettlement Office, so was clearly not a tourist.

  Twenty-six hostels catered for non-residents in Hemithea and he contacted twenty-three before the manager recognised the description. It was far quicker to interrogate the managers mentally than to visit each hostel personally. Divak reclined in comfort as he sent his mind around Hemithea. Divak was relieved, but the Manager was bemused.

  “If you want to get in touch with the lady, why did you not ask your sister?”

  He did not even consider Plavina.

  “What has it to do with Marina? He questioned.

  The manager was mystified. The information did not appear confidential, Divak might not have the title of Prince but he got treated as one, so the manager did not wish to offend.

  “Princess Marina brought the lady into Zenina and is paying her bills,” she told him.

  “Is the lady in residence at the moment?”

  “No, she’s gone out with her little boy.”

  “What is the lady’s name?” asked Divak.

  “Ondiella was the only name she gave me.”

  “Just like a Zeninan,” thought Divak, not troubling to mask the thought, making it a comment

  “That’s what I thought,” said the manager. Divak thanked her and went looking for Ondiella.

  He searched the shopping areas of Hemithea with no success. So he moved on to tourist attractions, hoping she might be sight-seeing. He failed to locate her but continued to search. This level of interest on Divak’s part was unusual, but he single-mindedly pursued his goal. He missed her twice; once as she was leaving Dalzina’s house, where she had gone for instructions at Dalzina’s behest, and two hours later, as she hid in a shady doorway in abject terror.

  Ondiella had gone straight to her meeting with Dalzina. She got lost as had not learned how to use the transporters properly so arrived on foot, hot and irritable. Dalzina was not in a good temper either. She had no desire to go off planet before the Games. Kapalina had not come to help her pack, and she felt that there should be someone for her to order around and ser
vants were not the same. Dalzina had little time for Ondiella, but gave her some money as a retainer, instructing her to hold herself in waiting, for Dalzina’s return from Ziga. Then she dismissed her.

  Ondiella wandered aimlessly trying to decide what to do next. She had hoped for action against Marina, but all Dalzina had done was fob her off. The streets she pushed her son around got narrower. Then she saw, a tall well-dressed Kurgian coming out of a door across the street from her. In the door, a woman stood in the shadows, wrapped in a heavy cloak. The inappropriateness of the cloak in the heat of the day attracted Ondiella’s attention. She caught but a glimpse of her face, but it was enough. Ondiella would know those amber eyes like a cat stalking its prey and classical profile again.

  The woman did not make her shrink into the nearest doorway, but the man who was leaving had. Prince Ga’Mikkal was not aware of her scrutiny and would not have recognised her. Why should he connect a well-dressed girl accompanied by a Kurgian baby, in Hemithea, to the poor farmer’s wife, his men left for dead on the distant Markaban colony of Hugganeit? Even if she challenged him, he would have laughed. He felt no guilt for his actions. Ondiella had been spoils of war, there for the taking.

  Ondiella recognised him as the Kurgian Officer who had stripped and raped her, then when he finished with her, handed her over to his men. It came back vividly to her; she felt the pain and the disgust anew. She wanted to scream and kill him, but panic-stricken she could not move. Prince Ga’Mikkal was long out of sight, but she did not move from her hiding place. People passed by, Divak amongst them, but none noticed her. She felt unclean and terrified. Ondiella wanted safety and to be comforted.

  “Who can I go to on this strange planet? Dalzina? She’s busy packing and I doubt that cold individual would care. Father Debenden? I tried to talk to him but he has no understanding of my problems, so I didn’t tell him my feelings. Who else do I know? Marina, she might help me. I know she’d help but I loathe her.”

  It was irrational, but she would not go to her for help. Chilka, she would understand. She would try to find Chilka. She summoned up her courage, forcing herself to step out into the light. She felt soiled and naked, as if the passers-by could see her shame. She pushed the little boy in front of her, his eyes opening from his nap, twinkling at her with his first glimmers of real knowledge of the universe. She smiled back at him reassuringly, she did not look where she was going, ploughing straight into a young man. Divak who had been looking for her, smiled up from his seat on the pavement. He got up and dusted himself down, dismissed her apologies as unnecessary, introducing himself.

  “My name is Divak,” he said. “It’s my pleasure to be knocked over by so beautiful a lady. Please don’t apologize.”

  “I’m so sorry; I wasn’t looking where I was going. I hope you’re not injured?”

  “No I am absolutely fine. Where were you going and may I accompany you?” he asked with no further ceremony.

  “To Chilka’s,” she said, “but I don’t know the way.”

  Now Chilka was a fairly common name in Hemithea, Divak knew four, but he knew she must mean Marina’s best friend, so he guided her to her apartment. They walked quietly, each of them weighing the other up. Ondiella was grateful for his company and his guidance. The sight of Ga’Mikkal had frightened her; she did not want to be alone. Divak looked as he wished to appear, an affluent, very handsome, but slightly effeminate young man. She did not feel threatened by him.

  He studied her mind, probing gently so she did not feel his search. The more he saw of her, the more enthralled he was. He saw her terror, Prince Ga’Mikkal, her sufferings at his hands and those of his men. He felt anger. He wanted Ga’Mikkal to suffer as she, his sweet innocent had suffered. He wanted to protect her. He saw her hatred of Marina and realised if Ondiella knew he was her brother; his pursuit would fail. He was sure she would come to love Marina in time, almost everyone did. He did not notice her involvement with Dalzina, for he would have warned Marina, if he had.

  They reached Chilka’s apartment and were lucky she was in. Chilka let them in. Divak mentally begged her not to tell Ondiella he was Marina’s brother. Then he sat waiting in the sitting-room whilst Chilka took Ondiella to another room to discuss her troubles. The baby was getting fretful. He was wet and a little peckish so Divak picked him up. The child’s mind reached out to his in raw emotion, but Divak could not avoid understanding his needs.

  He rooted around among the baby’s things, finding a fresh nappy and changed him without fuss. He was doing up the contraption when Ondiella and Chilka returned. Ondiella’s face was newly washed but still bore the signs of tearstains. Chilka teased him about his gentle touch, but Ondiella, not knowing Divak was believed homosexual, did not understand the innuendo. She saw him as a young man who truly cared about children. The kind of man she should look for as a step-father to her son.

  ***

  If anyone entered Princess Marina’s home, they would have thought Charles insane. He was searching the house. The reason he was hunting was peculiar. Marina had remarked “…Charles I’ll see you this afternoon,” before taking Colonel Bromarsh and Jessina away with her. He had risked enquiring whether she would return before the Council Meeting, intending to be available if she did. In asking, he had flouted their mistress, slave relationship.

  “Will you return before the Council sits?” he had asked her.

  “Not today,” she said.

  She kissed the bridge of his nose, hustling her companions to the hover-car. Her negative answer disappointed him, but her thoughts had been complex, Charles alert to every nuance of his mistress’ mind took notice. She was telling him something. When he had first lived with Marina he had been very green. Princess Marina had found his lack of sophistication and erudition tedious. So she set out to educate him.

  He angrily resisted her suggestions to read what she advised. She had been tolerant dealing with the problem obliquely. She did not punish him for resisting her wishes, but was cooler towards him. Marina peppered her conversation with mildly derogatory remarks like “Oh! You don’t need to worry your pretty head with things like that,” or even “you wouldn’t understand what I’m talking about, would you?” The worst of it being that he had not.

  Charles had desperately tried to please her, but her responses to his best efforts were tepid. Charles panicked. If he could not do better, he would soon be replaced. Marina followed up by going out, not telling him when she would return. Marina said she would be home for meals and then missed them without giving any explanation. When she did arrive home, she slept and ignored him, not requesting his services at all. Charles was upset and confused.

  “If she doesn’t want me, why hasn’t she sold me? If I don’t please her, why has she not beaten me?”

  Then one day he picked up a book she had left lying around. Marina was always exactingly tidy, but over the period of her coolness, books were often left out. He read it, what else had he to do? Marina was out. He found it interesting, but did not understand all of it. When Marina came in, he fired questions at her about the book. She answered patronisingly, finally picking up the book replacing it in a bookcase. “Don’t worry about such things, I can think for you.”

  That night, she stayed in. To Charles who longed for her body and interest, the invitation to her bed was a treat to a child, who had learnt his lesson. She was no longer cool to him. He had never known her better. The next day he sought out a book left out, and, finding one, read it avidly awaiting Marina’s return with hope. His questions this time were not met with sarcasm, but were answered quietly and fully. Then Marina surprised him.

  “I’m going out to a friend’s house tonight,” naming a renowned poet. His face fell at the thought of another evening alone.

  “Would you like to accompany me?” He would.

  “You’ll have to be very quiet.” He would be.

  Most of the evening floated by him, he understood little of the high-flown Gold language that zipped back and for
th amongst the glittering company. Marina spoke little, leaving the floor to more extrovert personalities. She did not ignore him, keeping him by her side. He was happy to be with her, he realised she was silent because she was listening, but not as he did without understanding.

  When most present had read their pieces and they had been dissected amicably and discussed boisterously by the ladies present. Princess Marina was asked if she had written something new.

  “I have, but it is just a trifle, a few words only,” she said.

  Her friends waited expectantly and Marina recited her poem, only 24 words in basic Hemithean, none of them longer than two syllables. The context was comic. The poem poked gentle fun at her friends’ romanticising of the world around them. Everyone laughed and laughed.

  She was made to recite it again and her friends learned it word by word. No criticism was offered, but Charles did not think it was because she was a Princess. Her few words had said succinctly profound truths they all wished to say as well. It was as if they expected the best from Marina and left her to last, so they could finish with the sweetest delicacy. No one followed her and the conversation became general and she introduced him to some of her friends.

  There was surprise at his introduction, for Marina‘s attitude to slavery had been well known even then, although she had owned slaves, excluding Father O’Flaherty whom no one counted. She did not approve of the owning of a human by another person and when she kept slaves they never remained in her service for long. Nor did she introduce them to her friends. Charles was special if Marina treated him with such consideration.

  Her friends exchanged guesses on how long he would last. They miscalculated as the most generous estimate was three months. He was a handsome man, they admitted. A beautiful face and body were not enough, if the mind was as sluggish as hot mud. They thought him boring and stupid. A few considered whether he would be worth rolling, but they did not covet him as a possession.