HELIOS

Chapter 58

Jahní smiles at me.  "I know you do not like him, but we cannot have him as an enemy, especially now that this threat was issued against your people."

Good Lord don't remind me.  "Will he be on our side; that's my question."

Jahní sits pensively for a moment considering my question.  "I think my brother will chose neutrality over a particular side."

"Oh really."  How nice of him.  "So, in a pinch we can't count on him for any help."  I begin to fume.  "That means when he's king we're as good as dead out there, in the cold vacuum of space." 

Her silence says it all, and I can also feel her fear of that actually happening. I put my arm around her shoulder.  "I... fear my brother more than any enemy I have ever faced. He knows me to well, and would use this to hold over my head."

One of the staff walks in advising us of the Crown Prince's arrival. We thank her as we stand up taking hold of each other's hands walking out to greet him. This is the part of diplomacy that I've always hates; the fake smiles.

We walk to the entrance of our house and there he is Crown prince Zahn. He smiles as he notices our arrival. Jahní inclines her head to him, so I do the same out of respect of his title.  "My dear Jahlahín how are you, and Captain it is good to see you as well."

I grind my teeth as I smile in response. I turn to Jahní she and she takes the lead.  "Crown prince welcome to our home. Come sit and rest."

That's a traditional greeting of their people to those who have traveled a long distance, or an honored guest.  "Thank you for your hospitality, but please let us dispense with such formally. After all we are family here."

He looks at us for some kind of reaction.  "Well then."  Jahní motions for him to follow us.  "Brother..." She looks at him and then at me.  "No, Zahn. Let us go and sit so we may speak comfortably."  I smile as she puts her hand on her belly, to make it seem like she needs to get off her feet.

He looks at her not knowing what to say, at the fact that she actually took him at his word. Inside I laugh a little chalking one up for Jahní. We go to the sitting room and he smirks at us.  "My how the role of loving, submissive wife suits so well my Jahlahín."

I feel Jahní bristle at his comment.  "Your Highness."  He turns to me.  "Perhaps you'd like to eat something?"

He looks like he about say something angrily, but he knows that here he is not in a good position. His expression softens, as he realizes that he's engaging the two of us. Now he has to rethink his strategy if he intends to take us on.

He inclines his head. "That would be very nice thank you. I am quite hungry." That's what I thought he would do. So, the Crown Prince is flexible in his thinking. He will become a dangerous adversary in the future, so it's best to keep him close.

He eats a simple meal, while having a conversation about their past, as children.  "That was a fun time then."  The Crown Prince smiles at the memory.  "What about you Captain, don't you have any siblings?"

I look at him nodding.  "Well, I'm an only child due to the laws on Earth; that families can only have one child."

Prince Zahn frowns at this and looks at Jahní.  "Well I certainly hope you and my sister are planning to have more than one child!"  He laughs with that fake kind of laugh, that you know is forced.

Jahní smiles, but I can feel her uncomfortable frustration, not really being able to now retort.  "Well, I think that we will have more than one child."

She looks at me for support.  "We're just starting our family, but rest assured we will have more."  He laughs again, and I join him with chuckle. I'm Thinking in my mind how much I would love to hit him. Jahní turns her eyes in my direction sensing my hostility towards Zahn.

Zahn stands up and we follow out of respect for his position.  "Well, I must be on my way, and I did have a lovely time here with you."  We walk him out to the front, as his security is waiting for him.  "I hope the best for Captain. A long life... well of course that is if you don't get killed out there among the stars." He smiles coldly, while leaving.

It took all of myself control not to tackle him and pound his face in. I turn to Jahní and she's more pale than normal; she turns walking in and something tells me to follow her closely. As soon as she enters her knees buckle and I catch her before she hits the ground.

"Jahní!" I hold her gently.  "Hey, what's wrong?"  I have to stay calm here, and remain strong.  "Jahní, come on open your eyes."  I touch her face softly.

Her eyes flutter open out of focus for a bit; then she comes to herself.  "What... happened?" She confused, which tells me she didn't understand that she passed out. She puts her hand on her head.  "I felt dizzy... and then it's blank."

"You passed out and I caught you before you hit the ground."  She is shocked.  "Does your head hurt?"

"A little bit, but I think I can stand up now."  I help back on to her feet and I hold on to her until I feel confident she can stay up. It must have been the stress of the visit, or maybe what Zahn said. Who knows; the point is that one day he will pay.