If Only by Allen Carol B

Author:Allen, Carol B.
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Metropolitan Publishing
Published: 2022-07-13T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER NINETEEN

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PARKER’S LAST MEMORY OF the former Lieutenant Luanna was not a good one. Luanna had led the barbaric chemical assault and many citizens had been lost that day. A few had been lucky to survive, only because Parker had released an impenetrable force field to protect her soldiers, allowing them to stave off the attack.

She would never forget the haunted look on Commander Pantione’s face after a swift cut from his sword had slashed one of the green cloaks and revealed Lieutenant Luanna was directing the battle.

It had been a psychological blow to his heart. Luanna had double-crossed him, trading her loyalty to the Underworld rulers for a position with the arch enemy, Captain Jako. The day may have resulted in victory for Pantione, but the wounds of betrayal and love gone awry lingered.

Parker cleared her head and debated how best to manage Cole’s request to keep a close eye on Luanna without compromising what she wanted to achieve. She would help him out, but it would be on her terms. Her first priority was to ensure progress continued on their lab work. To do that, she needed to be at the Sky Box with access to travel to the Middleworld.

Parker asked the guards to bring Luanna to the Sky Box—a semi-neutral location where she hoped to establish a bond that would keep Luanna out of trouble and help her adjust to freedom without the negative influence of her former friends and acquaintances.

Now, Luanna stood before Parker—a broken woman, stripped of her position and title, an enemy of the planet. Parker offered her food and drink and studied the face of the once-vibrant young girl.

With lowered eyes, Luanna held out a feather to her. Demurely, she asked, “Should I call you Sky Queen? I’m not sure. The title never goes away.” She hesitated and asked, “Or does it?”

“There are those who still seem to want to address me as the Sky Queen, but I have relinquished the title, Luanna. I am here for a short stay. Please just call me Parker.”

Parker touched the lush onyx black feather then brushed its pointy tip under her chin. Interesting, she thought. It bore the provenance of the Alpine Choughs and at once bestowed the peace and calm of the Northern Upperworld skies within her. Still, she was curious about what kind of message Luanna was giving her with the choice of this so-to-speak olive branch.

“A peace offering?” Parker asked.

“Of sorts. Great Kuma, the Chough leader, came to see me when he learned I was to be released to your custody,” Luanna said, her voice parched from lack of food and water while a prisoner in the Vault. “Kuma asked me to give it to you.” She swallowed and paused, then added, “He said that you would know what it meant.”

Parker did know what it meant. A reminder of her time with the Choughs. A reminder of when she had been chosen as the Sky Queen. Great Kuma had held the key to her acceptance, and with his endorsement, her rule had been accepted by all.

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