Star Crossed Teaser

Her mind was now filled with terror, flashes of what could happen invading her subconscious. Her beautiful face was pinched and tears were flowing from her closed eyes. With a nod, I carried my mate out of the throne room and into her private quarters, locking the door. Nirabelle, listen to my voice. Focus on me, love. Please…come back to me.

She didn’t respond. Cygnarian words were repeating in her mind followed by imagined visions of her dead father, her brother maimed beyond all recognition and my own corpse, staring lifelessly up at her, waxy and pale.

“Emperor,” called Jerasse, one of Bella’s hand maidens, from the entrance of the suite. “Kunnan is here, sir.”

“Thank you,” I muttered, looking up at the tall, bald doctor who had treated my em’tuuk gas exposure. He glided in, sitting down on the chair closest to where I was holding Bella. “Her mind is reeling, Kunnan.”

“She must be terrified,” he whispered. “However, if she stays inside of herself, she could be permanently trapped within her own mind, her worst nightmares becoming her reality while her body withers away. It’s called zi’tkm, or what you would consider to be a catatonic state.”

“How do we get her out of it?” I asked.

“Only her mate can successfully breach her mind. You need to coax her out of her zi’tkm. However, I know that is not feasible since you need to meet with your crew and the Assembly of Nobles,” Kunnan said. “I can sedate her. It will stop her mind from looping her most terrifying nightmares. When the sedation wears off, you need to be with her, love her and soothe her mind with yours. Your doctor, Dr. Halé, who is an empath, will greatly help in that venture. She can amplify your emotions and wrap the empress in what she needs.”

“Speak with Dr. Halé and make arrangements for as soon as we’re done with our debriefing. Also, please ask for Maralice to stay with Empress Nirabelle. I want her to be surrounded by those who truly love her,” I said, nuzzling her soft cheek. “Fíorghrá, I will be back as soon as I can. I love you so much. Please come back to me.” Kunnan pressed his hypospray to Bella’s neck and her nightmarish visions disappeared from my mind. She slumped into my arms and her face evened out, but still looked troubled. “Keep me appraised of anything that happens, Kunnan.”

“I will, Emperor,” he said, bowing deeply. “Do you want her to be in her bed?”

“Yes. I’ll carry her,” I said curtly. My need to protect her was overwhelming and I didn’t want anyone touching her but me. Scooping her in my arms, I carried her to our bed and I gently laid her onto the white, fluffy sheets. Brushing her hair away from her face, I kissed her lips. “Ti-ane mahnu te-atée sa-ahari. I’ll be back as soon as I can, love. I promise.” 

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I was worried for my mate. It had been three days since Victoria was ‘buried’ in space. Edward had become depressed, angry and quiet. He barely spoke aloud. His mental communication had all but stopped. The only thing that he was focused on was Victoria and the cloaking device. I tried to speak with him, give him comfort, but he refused me. Refused to touch me or to allow me to touch him. I knew he was physically hurting from his injuries along with the emotional wall he put up between us. I was in just as much pain as him.

If not more.

On the morning of the fourth day of our mental and emotional separation, I went in search of Rose. She was married to him before. It wasn’t the same as being mated, bonded through our souls. Perhaps she could provide me with some insight on his moods. I found her in the Imperial School, running scans on my brother as he worked with his tutor. Rose sensed me, giving me a soft smile. Her true emotions were hidden but I knew that she was feeling for me. The concern was clearly etched in her golden eyes. “I think I may have a solution for Charanel’s brain damage from the lack of oxygen. However, it may cause his personality to change. There’s no telling until we start the procedure…”

“I do not want to lose my brother,” I said, looking at him, smiling happily with his tutor. “He may be developmentally delayed and forever trapped in a child’s mind, but he’s sweet and loving and I don’t want him to lose that.”

“Let me do some more research. I’d like to take way the possible side effect of the change of personality,” Rose said, closing her tricorder. “Now, you are in extreme pain and seem troubled. Let me guess, Emo Edward?”

“Emo Edward?” I asked. My translator must have malfunctioned. I didn’t recognize the term she used before my mate’s name.

“He’s thrown up walls and is buried in work, avoiding dealing with his feelings,” Rose deadpanned. “Look, Bella, Edward takes his job very seriously and that includes the safety of his crew. He is probably blaming himself for the death of Victoria even though it was a horrific reaction to the nerve gas that was pumped into the room. He loves to be in control. Everything needs to be in its proper place or he’s an absolute mess. The past month has been massive for him with all of the changes he’s endured…”

“What can I do? I hate to see him like this. I miss my mate,” I said, my heart shattering. “Even though we are close in proximity, there is a huge barrier between us emotionally.”

“He needs a swift kick in the ass,” Rose grumbled. Her face softened. “He needs to regain his control. You can help with that. Tonight, you need to have some fun with him.”

“I am not sure what you mean,” I frowned.

“First, you need to take control over him. Tell him to meet you for dinner and follow your rules.” Rose smiled impishly. “Try it. Let me know what happens.”

I furrowed my brow, confused by her suggestion. She knew him longer than I did, but the suggestion seemed wrong, almost. “I will think about it,” I said. “Any other suggestions if that doesn’t work?”

“Time,” Rose sighed. “Edward will get over it, but this was the first time he lost a crew member while he was captain. It’s one thing to lose a crew member that was a coworker, but Edward feels personally responsible for each person on his vessel. The safety of everyone on board is paramount. I can guess that he’s feeling like a failure right now; hating himself for what happened.”

Star Crossed Picture Tease

Marcusi stood up, pouring some c’amuu, a strong liquor, for both of us. We sipped it and I sighed. “Empress, I think it would be best for you and your mate to go someplace other than the Imperial city. Take him to your childhood home, away from all of this. It’s far enough away that you can heal, but close enough that we can transport you back if you’re needed.”

“Do you think that it’s wise for us to leave?” I asked. “I do not want my people thinking that we are acting like cowards.”

“Nirabelle, you have acted with decorum and strength. You gave the families of the colonists their H’aaruune ceremony and have provided them with that closure. Now, it’s time for you and Edward to focus on yourselves. I will make arrangements for a transport to take you to Ch’ich.”

Star Crossed Teaser

“Do you know where he is now?” I asked. “Is Edward on the Volvo? I can’t sense him on the surface.”

“I think he’s on the Intrepid, working at deciphering the cloaking technology with Captain Data and 

Commander Volturi,” Rose said. She tapped her communicator. “Halé to Cullen.”

“This is Captain Cullen,” came the rough voice of my exhausted mate.

“Sir, Kunnan has another injection for your pain management but it could make you drowsy. We need you to return to the surface,” Rose lied.

“I’m fine, Rose,” Edward said curtly.

“Edward, I do not want to have to relieve you of duty,” Rose chided. “You’ve been pushing yourself too hard as it is. Technically, you should still be on medical leave, but your stubborn ass…”

“Fine! I’ll transport in ten minutes,” Edward huffed.

“No, now,” Rose argued. “If you’re not transported into the Imperial Palace in thirty seconds, I will relieve you of duty and confine you to your Imperial quarters…”

Edward’s haggard body shimmered down and he was on the surface, scowling at his chief medical officer. His green eyes didn’t hold their usual sparkle. He appeared more gaunt and hunched over. “I’m here. Are you happy?”

“No,” Rose snorted. “Edward, I’m saying this as a friend and as your medical officer. You look like shit. You are hear by relieved of duty until further notice. When you can eat a meal without throwing up and you don’t look like fucking walking skeleton, then I’ll allow you back to work.” She tapped her communicator. “Halé to Volvo. Computer, restrict all access to files on the computer from Captain Edward Cullen. Medical override, Halé, Delta-Omega Three-Seven.”

“Rosalie!” Edward snarled. “I can’t not work. I have to…”

“Get better. What good are you to your crew looking like this? Feeling the way that you are,” Rose murmured. “I will examine you in four days. You are to remain on the surface.” She arched a brow, challenging Edward to disobey her medical orders. “Halé to Riley, one to beam up.”

“Ready, doctor?” Riley asked over the communicator.

“Yes, sir. Energize,” Rose replied and she shimmered out of the school.