The Chronicles of Cael by Meare Cassia

Author:Meare, Cassia
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Cassia Meare
Published: 2020-07-19T16:00:00+00:00

18.

Kiku had meant to return to Earth after Taavi, but now she must stay for the wedding, which was going to take place in two weeks. Every time her departure was mentioned Gaius frowned and Valeria tried to wriggle more weeks or days out of her.

Failing, Valeria said, “I still need your help.”

"For what?”

"I know my mother won't like the marriage, so you have to help me put her fears to rest. And — I think there is something still to do. Gaius said in his message to me that he wanted to make peace with someone."

"His mother?"

"Yes. I think she has to come. It's tradition that the dowager imperatrix should approve our wedding, and I think it's a good excuse to bring her and close that horrible chapter as well. I will try not to disintegrate her with my eyes for what she did, and Gaius will have peace. They say forgiveness is important."

"Who says?"

"Wise people. Don't they?"

"I guess. So, yes, I will help you.”

Never one to wait for anything, Valeria asked Gaius to summon Fabia. When she arrived, Kiku found Valeria's mother to be even more beautiful than the women in Cael, with her dark eyes, so like her daughter’s, her effortless elegance and her lovely low voice. But Fabia Tylia couldn't hide her dismay at the news.

"Well, I suppose it was bound to happen. I didn't think you would be capable of loving a man who didn't love you, Valeria, and any man ought to be able to see your worth. So I must commend him for his good taste."

"You'll commend me for mine when you meet him," Valeria said.

"But," Fabia added with a sigh, "the prejudice against bringing someone back is very strong in our culture, Dr. Mistral."

"I had my qualms, great qualms even,” Kiku admitted, “but Gaius was an extraordinary young man. He is becoming so for the second time. I also know that he loves Valeria more than anything and that she loves him, and I doubt very much there is anyone else in this system or any other for either of them."

"Well, it seems to be settled, then.”

Gaius was charming to Fabia Tylia, and it was perhaps a good thing that he had a new gravitas about him, as Kiku didn't know what Fabia would have made of the exuberant and mischievous young man he had been. After a few minutes' conversation, Valeria's mother was, if not won over, at least mollified for the moment. The emperor and the president walked together in the garden, talking alone for a while, until Valeria finally joined them. Kiku saw Fabia, a stateswoman used to judging situations, look from one to the other as they went off by themselves.

"I can’t really blame you or Valeria,” Fabia said. “But I’m not comfortable with keeping such a secret. It weighs on me. The rightful succession of a sovereign has been tampered with."

"I know. I suppose I wasn't the wise older woman I am meant to be, but—" Kiku faced Fabia.

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