Hanse felt a tightening in his throat as her words touched him deeply. He caressed the shadowed side of her face with his right hand. "Thank you for speaking these things, but I don't know if I'm worthy of such words."
"Hush." Her command came softly but with a strength that demanded immediate compliance. "You doubt your worthiness because of what you have been forced to do. You knew that forbidding General Hartstone to land his Fifth Syrtis Fusiliers before the mercenary regiments joined in the Sarna attack would goad him into an act of self-destruction, and I watched you agonize over that decision for a week. Even though you knew he was fanatically loyal to Duke Michael's memory and that removing him from command could have ignited a revolt in the Capellan March, you still fought within yourself over the problem. You knew the handful of MechWarriors who did not share Hartstone's politics would suffer right along with the majority who did, and that almost stayed your hand."
Her gray eyes reflected the silver moonlight as her voice dropped to a whisper. "What you don't acknowledge, my love, is that yours was not a decision that condemned those people to death. They would have died in any event—fighting in the Confederation, or leading a rebellion against you. You sought a way to save those who did not deserve death, and the very act of searching proves your sincerity and integrity."
Hanse chewed on his lower lip, then nodded wearily. "Perhaps you are correct, but I cannot allow myself to accept your assessment fully, nor be completely comfortable with the troublesome decisions I make. If I did, I might stop searching beyond the easy answers."
Melissa smiled at him. "Have no fear, my husband. In the most unlikely event you were to become complacent, I will always be there to remind you of who and what you truly are." She chuckled warmly. "And if I cannot manage it, I am certain Kincaid Fessul will be more than equal to the task."
Hanse joined her in laughter, then a wave of guilt overcame the happy sense of well-being. Letting her laughter die, Melissa noticed the change immediately and looked at the Prince with new concern.
Hanse slid forward on the edge of the bed and hugged his wife close. "Melissa, you are far more than I ever imagined, and you mean more to me than you can ever know." Hands on her shoulders, he held her at arm's-length to look at her. "I do have one regret, Melissa Arthur Steiner. In all the preparations and negotiations, in all the ceremony and politics, in the holodisk messages and your visit, I never actually asked you to marry me."
Melissa smiled gently, cupping his jaw gently in her hands. "Why stand on tradition, Hanse Adriaan Davion?"
Hanse dropped to one knee beside the bed, clasping her left hand in both of his. "Melissa Steiner, will you consent to be my wife, the keeper of my conscience and mother to my heirs?"
An expression of overwhelming happiness lit her face. "With all my heart and soul."
Hanse stood, sweeping her into his arms, and kissed her deeply. Melissa clung to Hanse, fiercely returning the kiss. The scent of her skin and hair was a delicate perfume that he would forever link with what had become the happiest moment of his life.
Melissa looked up and smiled as Hanse gently laid her on the bed. "It strikes me, husband mine, that I have already wed you, and I accept responsibility for your conscience." She slid over toward the center of the bed. "That means the only part of your proposal I have not fulfilled is becoming mother to your heirs. As I am leaving tomorrow, I would suggest we take the rest of this night to see what we can do about fulfilling that third promise."
Hanse nodded, his smile broadening. Those who imagined that our wedding was merely the forging of a political alliance will be sorely disappointed. From this union will spring nothing less than a dynasty.
27
Elgin
Tikonov Free Republic
21 July 3029
Colonel Pavel Ridzik, Supreme Lord of the Tikonov Free Republic, stroked his reddish beard as he struggled to keep his temper in check. He glared at the tall, handsome, dark-haired man he'd lately come to think of as his "keeper."
"But General Sortek," he said, forcing lightness into his tone, "it is totally impractical for me to shift my ships from their ward stations at the jump points of Acamar, Terra Firma, Carver, and Pollux. Their removal from that last site I consider especially risky because of the potential for a Marik counterstrike."
Ardan Sortek smiled in a manner Ridzik found decidedly patronizing. "I understand your apprehension, Colonel, but perhaps I did not make myself clear. I make requests of you. Prince Hanse Davion gives orders.His orders are, quite simply, for those jump points to be cleared of troops. He gives no reason, and he only expects compliance."
Ridzik leaned back in his red leather chair and steepled his fingers. I am not so stupid as to believe that, Sortek. I have seen the change in your demeanor since you received that message from the Federated Suns. You have been edgy and worried. I know what goes on in your head, and I use it in our little game here.
Ridzik lifted his eyes. "Your Prince demanded that I strike out at the Free Worlds League, and I have done so. My troops have done remarkably well, but that is because they are fighting for me and a free Tikonov. Your Prince promised that the occupied portions of the Tikonov Commonality would be returned to my rule if I complied with his orders. I have done so, yet they remain under martial law and your thumb."
Ardan laughed and shook his head in mocking disbelief. "Again you try to link two distinct and separate issues. You already have administrative control of half the worlds we took. We maintain garrisons on those worlds so you will not have to waste your precious troops on little rebellions. Our presence there makes your government all the more welcome, and you know it."
Hanse Davion's liaison pointed toward the huge map hanging on Ridzik's wall. "Furthermore, my dear Colonel, we have made no demands on or claims to the worlds you have conquered in this campaign of yours. I think we have more than held up our side of the bargain."
Ridzik slammed his fist onto the top of his heavy wood desk. "You know as well as I that we're not talking about control of a dozen minor worlds. We're talking about theworld. How can my Tikonov Free Republic have any standing and validity when you still hold the jewel of my realm? Tikonov has ever been the centerpiece of the Commonality, yet you deny it to me. If Hanse Davion wants these worlds cleared, I want Tikonov!"
Ardan flushed red with fury. "You are in no place to make demands, Colonel. My Prince denies you Tikonov, but he could deny you things that will hurt more." Ardan waved a hand that took in Ridzik's sumptuous office and the gilt framing that surrounded the mythical scenes painted on the walls and ceiling. "My Prince could pull the plug on the billion C-bills he infuses into your economy on a weekly basis. Or perhaps you would prefer our munitions shipments to stop?"
Ridzik felt a pain in his chest as Sortek threatened the pull-out of Federated Suns economic and military aid. He raised his hands and forced a smile to his lips. "Now, General Sortek, there is no need for—"
Ardan cut him off with a sharp wave of a hand. "Yes there is, Colonel Ridzik. I told Hanse that it would come down to this one day, that I was not a diplomat who could stroke you with one hand while pushing you around with the other. I say what I mean and I can't stand dancing around points and sensibilities." He skewered Ridzik with a hot stare. "You and I are military men. We don't need the deceptions and false courtesies required by diplomats."