POV: Lyra
I was demonstrating a new combat technique to Orion in the training sector when I noticed the tension in his neural pathways. They'd been flickering between purple and troubled amber all morning, ever since Greg's encrypted message arrived last night.
"Block left, pivot, then strike with your neural energy concentrated in your palm," I instructed, watching as he executed the move perfectly against Christian. Within seconds, he had the Duke pinned to the training mat.
Christian accepted Orion's help up, grinning. "Void's sake [damn], the Commander knows her stuff. Five minutes of teaching and you're taking me down faster than ever. I'm learning that next, just to keep things fair."
But Orion's smile was forced, his pathways still troubled. The training sector around us hummed with activity—dozens of Lyrokans and Kaelari practicing combat sequences on the specialized mats that absorbed impact and monitored vital signs. The walls were lined with holo-displays showing technique demonstrations, and the air tasted of recycled atmosphere mixed with exertion.
Something's eating at him. And he's not telling me.
Christian patted his cousin's shoulder. "So, does she have theories about Greg?"
"No," Orion replied flatly.
"Do you?" Christian pressed.
When they locked eyes, I saw something pass between them—that telepathic communication Lyrokans could do that I couldn't fully access, even through our bond. Orion glanced around, checking my location. I pretended to be absorbed in adjusting my training gear.
Through our bond, fragments leaked through. Not words, but emotions—jealousy, fear, possessiveness. And underneath it all, a name that made my stomach turn: Greg.
Christian suddenly burst out laughing, but then switched to their mind-touch when others looked over. Whatever Orion was telling him made Christian's pathways shift from amused to shocked to doubtful.
They're discussing Greg. And me. And Orion thinks... what? That Greg has feelings for me?
The thought was so absurd I almost laughed. Greg, that arrogant Duke who'd tried to undermine me at every turn, who'd called me "mining trash" to my face—having feelings for anyone but himself?
But then I remembered the encrypted files he'd left. Only for me. Not the authorities, not even Orion. Just me.
Their silent conversation continued, and I caught more fragments through the bond. Orion was thinking about the hospital, when Greg had demanded to know what happened to me after the assassination attempt. About how Greg hadn't been seen with any females since we'd met nine days ago—highly unusual for someone with his reputation.
Nine days. He counted.
The revelation that Orion was actually jealous of Greg—Greg of all beings—made my skin shift to an irritated orange before I controlled it.
Christian's expression grew increasingly concerned as their mind-touch continued. Then, without warning, he punched Orion in the jaw. The Emperor hit the mat hard, more from shock than force.
"You needed that, cuz," Christian declared. "The Commander would've done the same if she heard what you just said."
"What did he say?" I asked, appearing beside them with Toby. We'd been discussing defensive formations when I noticed the confrontation.
Both cousins froze like they'd been caught stealing from the Imperial reserves. My skin shifted through several colors—curiosity (yellow), annoyance (orange), and that telltale purple of hurt that someone was keeping secrets from me.
"Uh..." Christian fumbled for words.
Stellar deflection skills, Duke, I thought sarcastically.
"Specialist Tobias," Christian said desperately, "could you show me that backflip the Commander taught us this morning?"
Everyone saw through his pathetic subject change. Toby looked at me for guidance. I forced a smile. "Go on, Toby. Guide the Duke."
As they moved to another mat, I helped Orion up, immediately establishing our private mind-touch. What aren't you telling me?
His pathways flared with panic. What? Nothing!
Really? Because freezing like statues when we arrived suggests otherwise. And your mind's been elsewhere all morning.
He sighed through our link. Lyra, I'm just worried.
About the corruption case?
It's more than that.
Like what?
His pathways shifted, avoiding my gaze. Babe, it's nothing. You don't have to know.
The words hit like a plasma blast. My skin immediately shifted to hurt purple, then angry red. "I don't have to know, I see." I bit my lip, turning away, but his hand caught my arm.
"Baby, what's wrong?" He cupped my cheeks, pathways flooding with concern.
I pulled his hands away, throwing his words back at him. "It's nothing. You don't have to know."
His grip on my arms tightened. "Lyra, I'm sorry. It won't happen again. Just... please... I love you. Tell me what's bothering you."
"What's bothering me is that you won't tell me what's bothering you. Think you can fix that?"
His pathways pulsed with guilt. Finally, he pulled me against his chest. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. I just... when Greg left you the evidence, part of me felt he did it because he's in love with you. I was scared you'd be in love with him too."
I pushed back slightly to meet his eyes. "Orion, you should probably take the day off. Your neural processor isn't working right."
"That cousin of mine has never done anything selfless—"
"I wasn't talking about your cousin, Your Eminence," I hissed. "How the void [hell] did you conclude I'd be in love with him? Or anyone who's not you?"
His pathways shifted from worried purple to relieved violet so fast it made my head spin. He kissed me deeply, our neural sparks exploding between us. "Thank you, baby. I needed that. I love you."
I shook my head in disbelief, pecking his lips. "I know. I love you too. And for the millionth time, my paranoid Emperor, I'm with you. Only you."
Walking away, I muttered loud enough for him to hear, "First jealous of a youngling, then angry at a Commander I trained, now worried about Greg. What's next?"
His carefree laughter through our bond cooled my anger. Passing Christian and Toby, I called out, "Hey, Christian. Thanks for that punch. I appreciate it."
Christian bowed dramatically. "Always a pleasure to serve, my Commander."
"Come on, Toby. The Duke doesn't need the demonstration anymore."
Toby grinned. "Yeah, I figured. Just playing along. Interesting excuse though, Your Grace. Poor execution."
Christian burst out laughing. "Can't disagree."
I turned back to Christian. "Use techniques three, five, and one. That order. You'll take down your cousin in two minutes."
"WHAT?! BABE! YOU'RE HELPING HIM?" Orion's outrage drew everyone's attention.
Toby tried not to laugh as I said, "Maybe he's the next one you should worry about, darling."
"So you're just letting me get destroyed, my love?"
I rolled my eyes. "Invert your attacks. Left to right, right to left. Might keep you alive."
"Might?"
"Might," I confirmed with a smirk.
Just as they got into position, a high-pitched scream pierced the air, followed by a feral growl. A grey figure—someone in partial transformation with extended bio-claws—charged across the field, knocking down training pairs.
Partial transformation. That's illegal on station grounds.
The figure leaped straight at Toby and me.