#SFRMonday: Only one person can assassinate the Emperor ~ REBEL CAPTIVE by @sidkemory #scifirom
Please welcome S K Emory with the first episode in her Rebel Heart series…
REBEL CAPTIVE
Episode 1: Rebel Heart
by S. K. Emory
Mahat Yalani always thought he was an honorable man – he thought it was in his very blood. He was the good one when they were all children together, the one who never lied, never cheated, never stole. When his boyhood friend ascended the throne, Mahat swore that he would be loyal forever. But he could never have known the monster Yama would become, and five years later Mahat is in the Empress’s bed, conspiring to depose his rightful ruler. As Yama grows ever more depraved, Mahat must face the choice he never hoped to make: whether to save his friend or the Empire, whether to spare Yama’s life or send the only weapon the rebellion has left?
At eighteen, Ryn sold the only thing she had left in the world: herself. She didn’t really have a choice: three younger siblings and no food, no money. She knew what happened to kids from the provinces, but she still wasn’t prepared. Who, after all, would be prepared to be made into a cyborg? Who would guess that she was being made into a rebel, illegal and hunted?
All Mahat wants is to live an honorable life, and all Ryn only wants to be turned back into a human before it’s too late. Unfortunately, there’s an Emperor to assassinate, and only one person who can do it…
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Episodes 1-5 are also available at Amazon
He was dreading this meeting. Mahat Yalani, First Admiral of the Rellat Imperial Fleet and the man presently planning the coup that would bring the Empire of Rellat down from the inside in the next 48 hours, strode down the hallway to the Emperor’s private chambers and tried to calm the racing in his heart.
Why did Yama need to see him now, of all times? The ship was ready, the cover story set up, and Mahat would be inspecting the rebel army by evening flagship time. He had been avoiding Yama for days, his conscience troubled by the sight of his one-time friend. Every kind smile and murmured confidence only twisted the knife. His grieving had been done in private; he did not want to say goodbye .
Mahat did not doubt that the rebellion was necessary. He did not doubt that at all. It was simply that now, with a successful coup close at hand, he could not help but remember the man Yama had once been: kind, loyal, and terrified in the wake of his sudden ascension to the throne.
They had all had so much hope.
Mahat paused outside the door. No guards. The hair on the back of his neck stood up. Was it a trap? Did Yama know?
It would almost be a relief, at this point. And he had seen enough executions to know that if Yama was aware of the rebellion, there was no escaping his trap now. Fighting the urge to run, Mahat straightened his shoulders and pushed aside the door hangings.
“You wanted to see me, Your—” He came up short at the sight of the Empress Consort. He had been avoiding Veta, as well, though for different reasons. His confidant and co-conspirator, the Empress showed none of the doubts that clung to Mahat’s heart. Was he uneasy in her presence because her unalloyed pleasure unnerved him, or was it that he feared the same pleasure in himself? It was one thing to depose a mad tyrant, to win in an honorable struggle. Then, one might look forward to victory without guilt. It was another thing entirely when the mad tyrant had once been their friend.
No matter his doubts, no matter his unease, Mahat was unable to stop the smile that spread across his face. He had missed Veta’s ready grin, and he had not expected to see her for days. He had especially not expected to see her lounging naked on the four-poster bed at the center of the room.
He managed to restrain himself enough to lean against the doorframe, arms crossed over his chest. “Your Majesty.”
“Is that how you greet your Empress?” An impish smile tugged at the corner of Veta’s mouth. Her black curls tumbled over her shoulders, the golden circlet gleaming.
Mahat bowed low.
“Your Imperial Majesty, may God preserve you in peace and prosperity forevermore. How may your humble servant aid you?”
“Mmm.” Her voice sent a shiver down his spine. “I think perhaps this humble servant might come a little closer, and tell his Empress why he has been so absent from her side.”
“It would be my greatest joy to come closer to the font of your beauty,” Mahat said, mouth twitching in a smile. “And will your husband be joining us?”
He surprised Veta into a laugh, her head thrown back and her naked shoulders shaking with mirth. She stretched languorously, brown skin glowing against the red covers, and beckoned him.
“This is a dangerous game you’re playing.” But Mahat could no more stop himself from going to her than he could move mountains. He was drawn close, bending down to kiss her, catching his breath when her fingers closed around his uniform and pulled him down to her.
“Tell me, Mahat— where have you been, these past few days?”
“It is nothing…Your Majesty.”
“I know you better than that.” Her eyes narrowed speculatively and she trailed a finger down his chest, her eyes gone grave. “Do you have doubts?”
“You do know me.” His smile was fading. “Some, yes. Call them regrets.”
“The only thing to regret is what Yama has made himself.” Her voice was soft, persuasive. “You did all you could. Mahat, I cannot bear to see you like this, not when you’re doing what is right.”
“What is necessary,” Mahat murmured.
“You were pushed to this,” Veta reminded him. “No one would wish to choose between his friend and his homeland. But you are saving more lives than can be counted.”
“More are going to die before this is done.” Now that they came to it, he could feel himself crumbling inside. “Veta, I’m not sure I can do this.”
“You have to.” She pushed herself up. “We have to. Mahat, please.”
There was a note of genuine fear in her voice. He searched her eyes, and saw tears trembling there.
“I’m scared,” she whispered. “The implants are…they’re changing him. Every day he’s worse, I never know what will set him off. And Mahat, the weapons he has…”
“He would never use them,” Mahat whispered back, but it was a meaningless assurance and they both heard it in his voice. Who knew what Yama would do now?
“It’s getting worse,” she said fiercely. “You know that. If we don’t strike now—”
“I know,” Mahat said. He nodded, and cupped her face in his hand, trying to smile. Trying not to think of the army he would bring back with him. He stole another kiss and tried to stand. “I’ll do it. Be safe, I’ll be back soon.”
“Don’t go yet.” Veta’s lips curved and she pulled him closer.
Sid loves her romance with a fantastical flair, mixing the unsettling, difficult, otherworldly qualities of Science Fiction and Fantasy with the redemption and comfort of love.
When she’s not writing, you can find Sid running, drinking far too much coffee, or, she hopes, curled up with a good book in front of a cozy fire, with a glass of wine.
If you have comments about any of Sid’s stories, or want to see more of any particular character, she hopes you’ll email her to let her know: sidkemory@gmail.com You can find her at twitter (@sidkemory), facebook, and wordpress (skemory.wordpress.com).
