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  By now, word of General Albright’s retirement had circulated. Dillon knew of this through his own contacts. General Fisk would be the new commanding officer of the embassy. On Mythreal, generals made policy, politicians simply worked out details. Whoever controlled Earth’s part of Allied High Command was powerful indeed. But as he walked slowly down the gently inclined, red-carpeted ramp, to greet those in the receiving line, there was nothing as sad as the expression on Albright’s face.

  The man clearly hated leaving. Albright was only at the ball to make a brief appearance, as rumor now had it. Though no one else would know why, he did. Albright was probably trying to keep from saying too much, in front of too many people, while his faculties rapidly failed. Besides that, the retiring general would need to be de-briefed by Fisk’s personnel. And the incoming commanding officer had already arrived with his entourage, all of which were being greeted and pampered by other dignitaries tonight. Dillon saw many of them turn his way and congenially nod.

  But then his gaze was drawn away from the sad former supreme officer of Earth’s embassy, to a young girl standing by that man’s side.

  Keira. It was definitely her, but she’d dramatically changed. This was not the same officer who had entertained and attended few functions on Mythreal as a virtual non-entity. This new, alluring creature was polar opposite from that very professional if rather bland-looking other persona. Indeed, she’d transformed into the most exquisite woman he’d ever seen in his life. The eyes were the same. The face was the same. But sans the oversized, unflattering uniform, the flat-colored brown hair and very pale complexion, this creature was a stunning goddess. Other men near her stared in open, gawking, amazement, even as he did. Clearly, they were as perplexed by her transformation as he.

  The gorgeous lady who shared such an important secret with him now wore a black gown that left her shoulders and arms bare. The skirt of the garment flared out and around her slender hips making her waist seem almost non-existent. Shimmering earrings adorned her earlobes. Her brown hair was now streaked with subtle, lovely red highlights that glistened under a hundred chandeliers. Her hair floated over her shoulders, down to her breasts in soft, lovely waves. Parted in the middle as it was, it framed her exquisite face perfectly. Expertly applied makeup made her bright blue eyes stand out like stars. In a word, she was breathtaking.

  As they went through the receiving line, he and his grandmother nodded, smiled, and made the same, tactfully appropriate comments that’d always been uttered at such functions—apologizing for the rest of the royal household’s absence in lieu of affairs of state. Then, they finally approached the general and his goddaughter.

  Dillon tried to pay attention to Albright’s words, but it was difficult when his full attention was captured by Keira. What, by Kobald’s Stars, is going on? Why did she change? Why hide her beauty?

  “Felicitations, General Albright,” Dillon hailed as he took off his gauntlets, looped them in his belt, and offered his bared palm in return to the general’s outstretched hand. Suddenly he felt terribly sorry for the older fellow. Remorse over his own actions grew exponentially. He glanced pointedly at Keira. She simply looked away.

  “Good to see you again, Security Chief Greenleaf,” the general offered. Then he turned his attention to Dillion’s grandmother. “Good evening, Ma’am. So good to see you here tonight. I think the last time you visited the embassy was for the Yule celebrations, was it not?” Albright bowed his head cordially, and briefly took Immy’s hand when she offered it. “Lovely weather for a Valentine’s ball, don’t you think?”

  Immy responded in kind. “Yes, General Albright…I last visited the embassy for Yule. So good of you to remember. But the decorations for Valentine’s Day are so much more magnificent. I do so love the red roses. There must be thousands of them,” she said as she lifted one hand to indicate the masses of blossoms arranged everywhere. “Thank you so kindly for the invitation,” she continued. “I only wish the rest of the family could have attended but serious affairs prevent their enjoying this evening with us. I will pass on how lovely everything is. Valentine’s Day was always a favorite holiday in our household back on Earth.”

  “I’ll be sure and tell the florist you approve,” Albright happily replied.

  Immy then stared at the exquisite girl by Albright’s left side. “Dear sir…do introduce me to this lovely creature. She’s positively radiant! Have we ever met before, my girl?”

  “This is my goddaughter, Lieutenant Keira Foley,” Albright blurted, as a sudden smile broke out his face. “She’s on Mythreal only briefly. Helping me with…uh…retirement arrangements and so forth.”

  “I’ve heard so much about you, ma’am,” Keira said as she momentarily took Immy’s hand and gracefully curtsied.

  Immy immediately turned to him. Dillon saw his grandmother’s amused expression before putting his full attention on Keira.

  “Have you met my grandson?” Immy asked.

  “We’ve met, Grandmother,” he quickly answered before Keira could say anything. “You’ll recall the lovely roses sent to the manor just a few days ago. They were from her.”

  “Reeealllly?” Immy drawled as she glanced between him and Keira. “My, my. That’s very interesting. Very interesting indeed!”

  Dillon noted how Immy’s eyes narrowed, how a suspicious little smile planted itself on her pink-tinted lips. He quickly tried to avert any comments. “Uh…Grandmother…though Keira has only been on Mythreal a few short weeks, she and I have had several conversations concerning issues of general security. All professional, I can assure you.”

  “Hmmmm,” Immy muttered with a smirk.

  “When greetings are done and the occasion arises, why don’t you find drinks and chat? General Albright can keep me company,” Immy suggested.

  Albright quickly spoke up. “As much as I’d love that, ma’am…I’m afraid I must finish de-briefing the new embassy staff. Then there’s the fact that I won’t be here for the entire ball. You may or may not have heard that the USS Tremaine arrived at the airfield this afternoon for refueling. After speaking with her captain, I intend to board her as a passenger, then head back to Earth before the sun rises again on Mythreal.”

  Shocked by the announcement of such a quick exit, Dillon glanced at Keira. He caught the telltale shimmer of sudden tears in her eyes and understood her godfather intended to leave on his own terms, as soon as possible. Albright was a warrior. He wanted no notice, no accolades, no heraldry on his departure. Simple, clean, and if not entirely protocol, his way of departing was best—given the circumstances. Still, the news had hit Keira hard. He could tell.

  “Well…I will bid you a good journey,” Immy said as she shook the general’s hand again. “Your service, sir, has been most laudable. You have done Earth credit!”

  “Thank you,” Albright told her.

  Dillon took over. “Come Grandmother,” he said as he held out one hand to escort her to a ballroom table reserved for her at the edge of the ballroom dance floor, near the orchestra, “we’ll leave the general to greet his other guests. And Keira…”

  “Yes?” she murmured.

  “I’ll speak to you later. I believe the first dance will be mine!”

  He walked away with Grandmother’s hand on his right arm, his thoughts fixated on the girl who’d so physically changed that she had everyone in the ballroom staring. Dillon meant for her to make an explanation though she owed him none. Still, his offer for the first dance would be interpreted as asking for one.

  As he made sure Immy was seated comfortably, and then took a chair to her left, he greeted attendees who approached just as etiquette required. Still, he couldn’t pull his full attention away from the general’s goddaughter; a woman who’d formerly been a conspirator in his egregious actions. Now, the way he perceived her had drastically changed, and all in the span of a few moments. To add to his shame over having spied, he realized he was like a lot of other men. He’d seen Keira as just another innocuo
us embassy employee, mostly because of how she looked. She’d been intelligent and extremely adept, but not anyone who would capture a man’s immediate sexual attention. That had changed in a heartbeat.

  I’m as shallow as some of those women chasing after me—the same ones I’ve accused of only wanting me for sex, power, or my title.

  The taste of hypocrisy was bitter. For the second time in just a few days, Lieutenant Keira Foley had made him feel less than worthy of his vaunted position, less than a noble Mythrealian, and more like a scoundrel.

  As he stared at her, she’d occasionally glance his way. Only a few more guests in the receiving line and she’d be done with that formal duty.

  Eventually, with everyone seated or finding beverages of their choice—and with several of Immy’s cronies now ensconced at the table, keeping her amused—Dillon politely excused himself. He didn’t miss the telltale smile on his grandmother’s face as she nodded toward Keira, as if to express not only pleasure but approval.

  The first formal dance of the ball was about to be announced, as was custom. In a rather unexpected rush of possessiveness, he vowed no one was having that dance with Keira—no one but him.

  Chapter Four

  If there was any personification of magnificence, Dillon Greenleaf matched and then gold-plated it.

  As he strode toward her, his gleaming eyes filled with something she hadn’t seen before, Keira felt stirrings in her breast. So strong were the sensations that they riveted her to the spot. She couldn’t have moved if commanded to.

  Seven feet of muscular, black-uniformed Mythrealian meant to take the first dance with her. From the top of his almost blond head—with a long braid flowing over his left shoulder—to his black tunic, decorated with numerous service awards from what she’d heard were no less than five campaigns against pirate hoards, the man was a vision of heroic splendor. The black leather of his belt and tall boots shimmered in the light of a hundred chandeliers, and stood out against the white, polished marble floor and walls. The music must surely start soon. If not, she’d embarrass herself by standing there in a pool of drool.

  His square jaw was set. His full lips turned up at the corners. She knew he meant to have some answers about her appearance. Nothing would suffice but the truth, however simplistic that truth turned out to be.

  Finally, after making his way through the hundreds of partiers, all of whom seemed intent on speaking to him, he found his path to the edge of the crowd and moved more swiftly in her direction. And though it appeared he’d spoken amiably with those who’d queried him, his eyes were on her the entire time. His sparkling green gaze never once wavered.

  Surely, others must see his persistent journey to her side. But the gossip his adamant path toward her might cause just didn’t matter. Because of her godfather’s retirement, things were going to be different from now on. She’d already made that personal vow.

  After swallowing hard, her feet finally lost the leaded feeling keeping her in place during Dillon’s journey. She lifted the edge of her floor-length gown and took the last steps that put them only a foot apart.

  He slowly looked her over. Curiosity in his face turned to something else. If she had to put a name to it, passion would do.

  Part of her was sad that he’d never looked so raptly at the dull little lieutenant whose oversized uniform wouldn’t draw comment. But another part of her felt utter joy at the demanding, even possessive-like gaze he now bestowed.

  “Why the disguise? Why did you hide the way you looked for the entire time you’ve been on Mythreal?” he asked, without any hesitation.

  She had to look way, way up to respond. “I-I suppose you think there was something sinister in my actions?”

  “No. Anyone who knew you before coming here was probably aware that you’re General Trenton Albright’s goddaughter. Therefore…the rather innocuous, overly pale makeup, what appears to have been a rather bland brown wig, coupled with an oversized uniform, doesn’t make sense. Why, Keira?”

  “I dressed the way I did to keep certain higher ranking officers from using me as their personal piece of grab-ass. If Godpoppa had known why I’d really used the disguise, he’d have gone ballistic and would have castrated a few of those men a long time ago. So…instead of my getting a few other people into trouble, and taking the chance of having my reputation with Earth Force trashed…or of having my godfather’s reputation linked to anything so infantile as defending me…I took up a disguise and just told him that I liked dressing the way I did because it took less time in the morning to get ready. My appearance was still within regulations.”

  “And the general actually believed that?”

  “I never gave him any reason to think otherwise. A few other women on his staff had to do something similar. All to avoid some rather nasty, upper-level Earth officers who liked to hit on us the way pirates hit planets with truncheon bombs. Godpoppa simply perceived the ruse as truth.”

  “That doesn’t say much for Earth’s supervisory staff that the women within your ranks would need to resort to such subterfuge lest they fall to the mercy of certain ill-mannered brutes!”

  “It doesn’t say anything for the women who wouldn’t stand up to them, either! But it worked. And no woman has a personnel file recording issues about not getting along with supervisors—remarks, however unfair, might keep them from being promoted.” She lifted her chin. “From now on, no one is ever gonna put his hands on my butt again. I’m not going to hesitate to put my right fist in somebody’s face, even if it is another general, admiral, or commander who could send me to some godforsaken place like Taurean Seven.” She sighed before continuing.

  “Godpoppa’s not here anymore. He can’t be forced to defend me, thereby starting gossip as to why he’d have to and causing Earth Force a lot of bad publicity.” She paused then began again with a much less angry tone. “The whole officer cadre isn’t like that! Just a few in the upper echelon who should know better and whose other female companions might have been players in order to get promoted.”

  Dillon slowly shook his head. “That was the real reason you were being sent to the Taurean sector, isn’t it?”

  She simply lifted one shoulder and let it fall. “Like I said. It’s over. I’m not acting or donning costumes any longer. Even if it is true that dressing the way I did was quicker in the morning. Whatever I have to do, I’ll be the only one in my family taking the consequences.”

  He slowly shook his head. “Sadly, as advanced as we are nowadays, there are still those who’d abuse their powers. I was almost one of them, but for an entirely different reason.”

  “Your mistake was one of miscommunication. And we worked it out. For others, if I put on makeup, fix my hair, have my uniform altered so my breasts are to best advantage, they could help me make quite a name for myself!”

  He slowly nodded in understanding. “Ironically, you might still be accused of using your newly displayed charms on Mythreal to get promoted. At least, some of those same officers you speak of will suggest it.”

  “True. But I don’t care. Godpoppa still won’t be here to get hurt by whatever I do. No gossip will fall on him.”

  “You knew your godfather would protect you if he’d discovered any breach of regulations like those you’ve just describe. And he’d be brought up on charges for his actions.”

  “As I said…he won’t be here. I’ll do what I have to.”

  “Understood and in total agreement!” he assertively agreed. “All I can say is…those people who judge others by their appearance never saw the woman I spoke with in the woods a week ago. That person was a fearsome thing to behold. More importantly, she forgave when it became crystal clear what a dolt her adversary was.” He paused. “In my own way, I was no better than those men who’d have discriminated against you, Keira. I saw a woman in a man’s world and assumed wrongly.”

  She spoke more softly. “Not without some reason for suspicion. Besides, you have a very solid reputation. You’re both belo
ved and trusted. You’re not the kind of man that would corner me in the armory, and try to convince me to go to bed with him for the offer of a promotion.”

  Dillon’s hands automatically clenched, she put hers over them quickly.

  “The situation with you and me was quite different,” she continued. “You were doing what you thought was right. You made a mistake in judgment. Let’s say no more about it.”

  He paused for a very long moment, staring down at her with a serious expression where none was warranted.

  “What’s wrong?” she asked.

  “I wish I’d met you a long time ago. And now you’re leaving. With a change of command you’ll be given a few days or a week off as is custom. But you won’t ever be back this way again, will you? Stints on Taurean Seven can last five years or more. And that you were inflicted with such odious duty, from some self-serving prick in an officer’s uniform, makes me want to find the bastard and pound on his face!” He put his hands on her shoulders. “Give me his name, Keira. I’ll make sure the bottom-sucking vermin gets what’s coming—”

  “I’m not going to Taurean Seven,” she smilingly interrupted. “I think I confused you. I apologize.”

  He lifted his chin and a startled expression covered his face. “What?”

  She laughed. “General Trask has changed my duty station to Mythreal. Since everyone thinks Godpoppa originated the latest strategies, Fisk thinks I should keep formulating more as if—”

  “As if they’d been left behind, in a long series of pre-designed operations thought up by General Albright,” he finished as he slowly nodded. “Keira that will leave everyone believing you had nothing to do with them. That’s not fair.”

  “Since past centuries have turned the military units of Earth into law enforcers, and since we’ve been stationed at these embassy outposts on all sentient planets in the galaxy, we’ve struggled to get piracy under control. Lives on all sides have been lost. What’s not fair is watching our enforcers die with broken-hearted families left behind, just for the sake of somebody’s pride. If anything I say or do will help slow or stop the pirates, and get their children medical help in such a way that could change hearts and minds, then it doesn’t matter where the damned plans came from.” She smiled and added more.