The Golden

The Golden | Connie Bailey 2

LISTEN how the wind sings at the tower window, telling you it is time you were abed. Aye, I hear them, too, the highland wolves, sigil of our clan, but they are far away, and they do not sound hungry to me. There was a time when they hunted beside our warriors, but that was very long ago. Ah, you knew that, did you? You are very clever, little one, but now it is time for you to rest. Oh, you wish to hear a story, do you? Which one would you like, I wonder? Nay, do not pout; I was but teasing you, my heart. Put out the light and come sit upon my lap. I will brush your hair and tell you the tale once more.

AS Gabel walked briskly from the Kroaseni overlord’s audience hall, he recounted his recent meeting to the local Federation of Trade and Allied Interests liaison officer. His boots rang with each step, the chiming echoes reminding him that he walked on huge slabs of rare madrigal marble. Everywhere his eye fell, he beheld some mundane object fashioned of an incredibly precious material: sconces of filigreed blaqsilver, wall hangings of translucent opalsheen cloth, luxurious sea-silk weavings doing duty as rugs. The non-franchised planet officially known as S-B73NF was an untapped well of riches that had reached the point at which corporate law mandated ethical contact could be made. Now it was up to Captain Gabel Telsun to establish trade

The Golden | Connie Bailey 3 relations in a manner the local authorities could relate to. Fortunately, he had a knack for establishing rapport with the leaders of races that the Trade Federation deemed “less civilized,” leaders like the brawny, scarred overlord of Kroasen. “How do you think it went, Jode?” Gabel asked. Lieutenant Joden Bridger glanced at his commander, thinking that the tunic, leggings and voluminous cloak of glossy fur suited Gabel better than the trim company uniform the captain usually wore. The medieval cut of the rich fabrics was an apt match for Gabel’s tall powerful frame, weathered features, and jackstraw thatch of pale hair. The young lieutenant caught himself mooning over his superior officer and made an effort to be professional. “The overlord isn’t known as Pherander the Just for nothing, Captain. He’s won his empire and now he wants it to prosper. From his remarks, and more importantly, his body language, I’d say he likes you, which is much more crucial than liking your proposal. Remember, these people prize strength, loyalty, and honor above all, and the bio of you that I gave Lord Pherander’s wizard was quite impressive. Your defiance of company policy in breaking the siege of Warrotan to deliver medical supplies made a real impression. It doesn’t hurt that you learned to speak the native tongue or that your accent makes you sound like an aristocrat and—” “And what?” “I feel a bit foolish mentioning it, but I was recently made aware of a bit of local culture that weighs in your

The Golden | Connie Bailey 4 favor. I’m still looking into it, but apparently, there’s a legend or prophecy about a golden-haired stranger. There are no blond-haired people among the Kroaseni; you’re the first man with fair coloring that they’ve seen, so you’ve made quite an impression. ” Gabel smiled. “Never forget, Officer Bridger; it doesn’t matter if the fairy tale is true if it can be used to your advantage.” “I’ll keep that in mind, sir.” “Thanks for paving the way for me on Kroasen,” Gabel said. “You liaisons don’t get enough credit, in my opinion.” “I’d do the job just for the chance of immersing myself in a new culture,” Bridger said. Gabel shook his head. “Talk like that won’t get you any pay allotment increases.” He paused. “Did you say wizard?” “The Kroaseni believe in magic, Captain, one of the many things that make them so fascinating. I heard all the horror stories about barbaric outreaches when I was at the academy, but now that I’m in the field, I don’t ever want to leave.” “Despite the lack of modern conveniences?” “I’m coping, sir. It would be nice to have a sonikleen booth, and I miss my friends on the ship, of course, but there’s so much to learn here that I wouldn’t have time to brood, even if I wanted to.” “Glad to hear it. Your friends miss you, too, by the way.” Gabel glanced at the young man with a smile. “Do you think

The Golden | Connie Bailey 5 it’ll be long before we hear a decision on the trade agreement?” “It could be a while. Each of Lord Pherander’s vassals will be given a chance to have his say. For alpha males of a warrior culture, they’re a very long-winded bunch when they get going. Forget about strong and silent. These fellows can list their ancestors back to the Big Bang, and their wizards have the right to recite their lords’ victories and accomplishments in some detail, often in the form of a chant. It can have a rather hypnotic effect, especially on men who’ve been imbibing fermented drinks since dawn. When the wizards are finished, it starts over again as the lords’ champions are given the opportunity to boast of what they would dare to do at their liege’s behest,” Joden said grandly. “Actually, it could be days before the introductions are done, but you’ll be quite comfortable, and we can do some catching up.” “I love my job sometimes,” Gabel said. The liaison officer smiled his understanding as he led his commander to a door of silvery, petrified arzhenwood, heavily carved in a vine pattern inlaid with green stones. “These are your rooms,” Joden said. “You can get some rest while I visit Pherander’s wizard. Atlo is rather closemouthed, but he’ll let me sit in on the council. It isn’t private, strictly speaking; it’s just too boring for most people. Our only real opposition is Pherander’s chief vassal, Marlos No-Mercy. He and his crowd seem to think that trading with outlanders will taint them and make them soft.” “Marlos… No-Mercy?” Gabel raised his pale eyebrows.

The Golden | Connie Bailey 6 Joden chuckled. “Wait until you meet Bloody-Handed Phordes and Diatlo Deathkin. Pherander wasn’t always called the Just; he was once known as the Fearsome. It’s a warrior culture; remember? Women live in separate, wellguarded enclaves where they raise their children—preferably sons, of course—while the men make raids to secure wealth and goods. At this stage of their civilization they still have fiefs and a system of tribute levied from conquered vassals.” Joden paused and smiled ruefully. “I didn’t mean to give you a history lesson. Get some rest, and I’ll be back in the morning with a report before your breakfast arrives.” Gabel patted his stomach, which was bulging slightly with roasted meat and several cups of wine. “I may never eat again, but I’d rather have a full stomach than offend the cook.” Joden shook his head fondly. It was hard not to love the commander. The captain behaved as though he was of equal rank with the lowest subordinate in the room, and it wasn’t an act. Gabel Telsun was a natural leader: someone other men identified with, a man they would follow without question. “Don’t worry so much,” he said. “You’re going to get the contract and a big enough commission to buy your ship.” “I appreciate your confidence in me,” Gabel said as he pushed open the door to his temporary quarters. “As soon as I own the paper on the Lucy, you know you’ve got a berth on her.” “Thank you, sir.” Bridger saluted and pivoted on his heel to make his way back down the cavernous hall. “Chief

The Golden | Connie Bailey 7 Liaison Officer” of the super-merchant class vessel Lightfoot Lucy sounded like a very good title indeed. He was mentally choosing a staff from among his shipmates when a shout jarred him from his reverie. Hurrying back to Captain Telsun’s room, he found his commander in the doorway staring at the bed. “Oh dear.” Joden suppressed a smile. “I completely forgot. Providing a bed warmer for visiting dignitaries is a standard courtesy.” He paused, peering at the occupant of the bed as he continued. “It seems Lord Pherander thinks very highly of you; that’s a concubine from the royal harem. See the sheathed sword tattooed on his hip?” Gabel swallowed hard. He’d been keeping his eyes averted, but now they flew to the exquisite creature sprawled over the tumbled furs of the enormous bed. Dark hair streamed like spilled ink across a scarlet pillow, framing a smooth face of such sweet symmetry it seemed more like sculpture than flesh and bone. Long, lean-muscled limbs covered with skin as smooth and tawny as wild honey were flung akimbo, displaying the sleeper’s utter faith in the security of the room and the fact that this royal concubine was indisputably male. Curled on a dark pelt at the juncture of the young man’s thighs was a handsome column of deep rose flesh that drew Gabel’s eyes irresistibly. He knew it would feel like silk-suede under his hand and stiffen gratifyingly at his touch. It had been a long time since he had indulged his libido, but the longing never left him, and it never lessened. Renewing his resolve, he cleared his throat and lied to Joden. “I don’t want a bed warmer.” “I thought you didn’t want to offend the cook.”

The Golden | Connie Bailey 8 Gabel sighed. “This is a test; I just know it,” he said under his breath. “Sir?” “Nothing. You’re right, of course, though I wonder how the overlord knew that I’d prefer a man.” “Well… there aren’t any females in the harem. Women aren’t… well, they’re just not sexual objects in the Kroaseni culture. They’re necessary for the continuation of the bloodline, naturally, but they’re not seen as objects of desire, at least not in public. What happens behind closed doors is entirely private, of course. Men lust after women on Kroasen like anywhere else, but in their society, the bold young warrior is the coveted ideal of beauty. It’s one of the reasons I was so keen to be posted here.” The captain gave Joden a speculative look. “I didn’t know that,” he said. “That’s very interesting. All right, I’ll just curl up and try to get some rest. See you in the morning.” “Pleasant dreams, sir.” The liaison closed the door and walked away. Gabel shrugged out of his fur-lined cloak and slung it over the back of a chair that could have stood in for a throne. Fires burned in hearths at both ends of the big chamber, and it was much warmer than he’d expected for a fortress. The slight chill had no effect on the sleeper except to draw his nipples into mouth-watering peaks. Gabel licked his lips as the young man shifted, bending his left leg and giving the captain a sudden unobstructed view of his lower opening. The sight made Gabel’s mouth go dry, and he

The Golden | Connie Bailey 9 berated himself for failing to get a grip on his lust. There were rules about fraternizing with indigenous populations, and he wasn’t going to screw up his chance at owning his ship for a little nookie, not even if it looked like the best nookie in all the galaxies. “What is nookie?” Gabel blinked and saw that the sleeping beauty’s eyes had opened. The Kroaseni’s dark gaze was so compelling that it was a moment before the captain realized the concubine wasn’t talking in the native language. “You speak Base?” he asked in surprise. “I speak what you are speaking,” the young man levered himself up to rest on his elbows and watched Gabel with drowsy curiosity. “Well, we call this language Basic Lingua Prime, or just Base.” “We?” the concubine glanced around the room. “We, the Federation of Trade and Allied Interests, my… clan. You see, you need a standardized tongue if you’re going to enfranch—uh, bargain with people. After the trade agreement is signed, a lot of your people will learn to speak Base.” The Kroaseni’s expression became one of supreme boredom at the mention of commerce. “I am Alander,” he said, “and I do not bargain.” “I’m Gabel Telsun, and bargaining is about all I do.” “Are you not a warrior?”

The Golden | Connie Bailey 10 “Well, yes, I suppose I am a soldier, technically.” “You are my lord’s honored guest. You would not be here if you were not worthy.” “Are you trying to convince me or yourself?” Alander frowned. “Do you wish to find joy with me, outlander? Or are you the sort of man that can go to sleep after seeing this?” The concubine rose and stretched, presenting his flawless frame at some very alluring angles. Pointedly directing his gaze to Gabel’s crotch, he taunted, “Do the men of your land even have cocks?” Gabel reminded himself that Alander was a product of his culture and that a star cruiser captain shouldn’t be offended by the remarks of an “unsophisticated savage.” “I’ve had a long journey,” he said diplomatically. “I wish there was some magic that would give me the strength to appreciate your lord’s generosity. I don’t mean to insult your master’s hospitality or your attractiveness, but I can’t top you right now.” Alander raised an eyebrow the shape and color of a raven’s wing. “You look strong enough to me. Come, taste me, and see if you do not want more.” “I don’t doubt your flavor, but even if I weren’t exhausted, I couldn’t break my resolution.” “You have taken a vow?” Gabel nodded, and Alander’s posture changed immediately. The melting gaze became bright-eyed attentiveness as he studied Gabel. “I know an oath like this is a private thing between a man and his gods, but if I may know the nature of—”

The Golden | Connie Bailey 11 “I vowed I would not sleep with… foreigners… until I’ve amassed a fortune large enough to buy my own vessel.” Alander’s frown returned. “I do not understand. How does not sleeping with foreigners help you to gain wealth?” “Well, it’s a test of will.” Gabel floundered. He could hardly tell this pleasure slave that he was following some very sensible guidelines to keep him out of trouble while visiting other planets. Diddling the locals was high on the list of taboos, but Alander thought Gabel came from another country, not another solar system. “A wizard suggested it,” he blurted out, and he instantly wished he could call the words back. Gabel was normally quick on his feet, but Alander made him feel like he was constantly trying to keep his balance. Maybe if the concubine put on some clothing, Gabel would be able to think about something other than sex. “Did you read my mind before?” he asked. “I don’t remember saying the word ‘nookie’ aloud.” Alander looked at him warily. “You are speaking nonsense,” he said. “Perhaps you are as weary as you claim. Come and lie down, and let me bring you peace.” Gabel’s unruly shaft, already at half-mast, stirred against his thigh at the thought of lying down with this alien Adonis. He was trying to find the words to decline gracefully when he gave it up and shut his mouth. Surely he was capable of sleeping in the same bed with an attractive male without having sex. He came to sit on the side of the bed and let Alander remove his boots and loosen his clothing. The Kroaseni sat back against a stone wall softened by a thick tapestry and

The Golden | Connie Bailey 12 beckoned with an incongruously imperial gesture. Gabel smiled as he stretched out, his head cushioned on the other man’s thigh. Alander leaned over Gabel, his long, thick hair falling forward to curtain Gabel’s face as he rubbed his fingertips over Gabel’s scalp and sang a wordless melody under his breath. A nebulous, floating euphoria pervaded Gabel’s cells, and the notion of moving from his current position was most unappealing. This was the best possible place to be in the entire universe, and he was going to stay as long as he could. When Alander’s soothing touch moved lower, sliding under Gabel’s shirt to rub his chest, the captain felt a small twinge of nervousness, but he couldn’t muster the energy to protest. His gaze was fixed on the lovely visage hanging above him like the lambent moon in wind-tattered storm clouds. A groan rumbled up in his throat as strong fingers found his cock and tested it for firmness and girth. The sound that emerged from his mouth was a leonine purr that brought a smile to Alander’s face. The limber young man bent to kiss Gabel’s forehead, his lips like coals branding their imprint into the captain’s skin. Gabel gasped as the flames roared, overflowing the hearths and licking into the room like the tongues of dragons. Instinctively, the captain flinched away, but the blaze stopped short of the bed, hanging in the air like shimmering curtains. At the captain’s bewildered look, the concubine murmured reassurances in an unfamiliar language that soothed Gabel’s fears. This was a dream; it could not be real. The fire burned but did not consume. Each moment seemed to hang suspended for an extra beat. Every pass of his hand over Alander’s sleek contours evoked

The Golden | Connie Bailey 13 a passionate response that Gabel could feel in his fingertips as though he were directly connected to the young man’s nervous system. He imagined that he could sense the Kroaseni’s emotions and used the feedback to find Alander’s most sensitive zones. Alander surged up from the soft mattress, reciprocating Gabel’s attentions, eagerly divesting him of his trousers. As soon as Gabel’s hard shaft was uncovered, Alander grasped at it greedily, his lips parting in anticipation. Gabel groaned deep in his chest as the concubine lapped at the head of his cock. He was harder than he’d been in his life, and a gleaming strand of gossamer liquid seeped steadily from the tip of his arousal. His vow was completely forgotten as Alander’s agile tongue dipped into the frill of his foreskin, darting and swirling. Strong hands gripped Gabel’s ass cheeks, sinking into firm muscle as the Kroaseni pulled him forward. Gabel sucked in a sharp breath as his full length was engulfed before Alander drew back. Bobbing his head, the concubine repeated the action, long silky hair trailing over Gabel’s thighs in a tantalizing caress. Gabel moaned his approval, threading his fingers in the young man’s dark hair as he rocked his hips gently. Alander moved closer, wrapping his arms around Gabel as he pulled the other man’s shaft deep into his throat and swallowed several times in succession. Gabel shivered and his knees went watery. At the very moment that he became certain he couldn’t take any more without shooting his load down Alander’s throat, the pleasure slave backed off. Alander let Gabel’s cock slide from between his lips and ran his fingers up the shaft. Spitting into his palm, he added the moisture to the saliva-shiny rod. When the concubine

The Golden | Connie Bailey 14 rolled up onto his shoulders and spread his legs wide, Gabel moved between his thighs, but didn’t move forward right away. Alander lifted his hips suggestively, and the captain spread a hand over the young man’s flat belly to keep him still. Alander made a frustrated noise that trailed off into a whining hum when Gabel eased a finger into him. Gabel had never made love with nothing more than spit for lubricant, and no matter how fiercely this Alander postured, he didn’t want to hurt him. His concern was eased when it became obvious that the concubine had already prepared for this eventuality. Alander’s passage was oiled and receptive, the entrance springing back at a nudge before yielding to pressure, accepting Gabel’s finger and closing around it. Unsure if Kroaseni anatomy matched his own, Gabel went optimistically forward and was happy to find everything in a familiar location. To judge from the sounds Alander made, Gabel’s stroking fingertip was hitting the right spot, and the noises became more urgent when Gabel’s fist closed around Alander’s cock. Gabel wanted to keep going until the other man climaxed. He wanted to watch the concubine’s dark eyes go soft and melt in the heat of his pleasure. He wanted to sink his aching arousal into sated flesh and join Alander in ecstasy, but he reined himself in. It was important that they come at the same time. Though he didn’t know why this was so, he knew it was a fact in the same way he knew that he needed oxygen to keep breathing. He didn’t question it. He knew exactly when to ease his fingers from Alander’s sheath and replace them with his cock. Pinning the concubine’s knee to the bed with one hand, Gabel took hold of himself with the other. Alander moved restlessly when the leaking tip

The Golden | Connie Bailey 15 of Gabel’s shaft dragged across his furled opening, and he murmured something under his breath, one word repeated in a breathless whisper. Now! Now! Now! Seating the swollen head of his cock against the concubine’s glistening port, Gabel wrapped his hands around Alander’s hips and pressed forward, breaching the resilient barrier. Alander clamped down, squeezing the captain’s shaft just behind the tip. At this provocation, he thrust, sending his hard flesh farther up the tight channel. Alander lifted his pelvis, engulfing more of the thick column in a blatant dare. The veneer of civilization melted away in the heat of passion as Gabel thrust powerfully. Sweat ran from every pore, making it difficult to keep his grip on the lean flanks as he pulled out and plunged back into the slippery socket. He increased the speed of his strokes, and Alander urged him on with wild cries that echoed in the rafters. Gabel felt his balls tighten almost painfully and knew without doubt that his imminent orgasm was going to make every climax he’d had up until now feel like a sneeze. Leaning in, he took Alander’s mouth, plumbing the wet velvet with his tongue as his cock delved deep into the hot quicksand of the clutching sheath while he stroked the young man’s arousal to the same driving rhythm. Alander came, teeth sinking into Gabel’s bottom lip, and the captain tasted the brine of blood. The pain hardly registered before it was swept away by the transcendent pleasure that flooded his body as his seed spooled out. He had the distinct sensation that his atoms had been swallowed up in a storm of white light, hovering weightless in a warm cloud that was somehow a part of him, or he a part of it.

The Golden | Connie Bailey 16 Gabel opened his eyes. Alander gazed back at him. The moment stretched on and on as the two men floated together in a space that existed outside of time. With a heart full of wonder, Gabel strained toward Alander with all his being, and a sharp, consuming pain accompanied by a blinding burst of light clutched him in a cold fist, crushing the breath from his lungs before flinging him to the floor. Coughing and gasping for air, he lay winded until a brutal kick to his ribs flipped him onto his back. His eyes fluttered open and he focused on the hulking figure looming over him. “Die, out-clan pig!” Gabel rolled, and an ax head showered sparks over the spot his neck had recently occupied. His wits were returning at light speed, and he continued rolling across the floor as his attacker leapt after him. Reaching the other side of the bed, Gabel rose and grasped the blaqsilver torch stand. Wielding the tree-shaped length of metal flaming end first, Gabel kept the brawny warrior at bay long enough to shout a question at him. “Who are you, and why are you trying to kill me?” The big man tossed a waist-length braid over his shoulder and hefted his ax in what could only be called a threatening manner as he answered. “I will give you my name so you can tell your ancestors. You have the honor to die by the steel of Marlos.” “Now we’re getting somewhere,” Gabel said. “There’s no need to kill me. I’m not a challenge to your standing. I just want to buy raw materials from your overlord and make your people wealthy.”

The Golden | Connie Bailey 17 “The Kroaseni do not need your wealth, merchant,” Marlos sneered. “Make your peace with your gods, outlander. I will slay you and take that toothsome creature in your bed while your blood cools.” Gabel glanced in the direction of Marlos’s gaze and saw Alander kneeling in a submissive posture, his face obscured by his wealth of glossy hair. “Don’t be afraid,” Gabel said. “There are sentries patrolling the guest quarters, and Marlos might be a big boy, but I won’t let him rape you.” “You will already be dead when I take him,” Marlos declared. Gabel glanced at his cloak on the back of the chair. In an inner pocket was a small but powerful stun device that was doing him no good at the moment. Steeling himself, he threw his makeshift weapon at Marlos, prepared to leap as soon as the warrior was distracted. Marlos knocked the torch aside with his ax and circled Gabel, inviting him closer with a taunting smile. As soon as Alander was out of the warlord’s line of sight, the concubine uncoiled, launching himself at Marlos. The battle was over in a matter of three heartbeats and a flurry of hands and feet. Marlos No-Mercy was on the floor with Alander kneeling on his back, lashing a leather strap around his wrists. Popping to his feet, the concubine skipped back and gave the struggling warrior a kick in the head that knocked him unconscious. Gabel stared, thunderstruck, as the naked pleasure slave paced toward him, eyes blazing with an unnamable emotion. The captain’s pulse fluttered as Alander gripped the

The Golden | Connie Bailey 18 back of his neck, yanked his head forward, and brought their mouths solidly together. Gabel returned the fierce kiss with equally savage passion as Alander maneuvered him back to the bed. The smudged tattoo on the concubine’s hip was the last thing Gabel saw until Lieutenant Bridger woke him the next morning.

“CAPTAIN?” “Just another few minutes, Jode,” Gabel said as he rolled over. “Wake up, Captain Telsun!” Gabel opened one eye and the look on Lieutenant Bridger’s face convinced him that it was time to get up. Behind Joden was a servant in royal livery and a room in shambles. Gabel scrubbed at his stubbled face with both hands and blinked blearily at the chaos. “I had a lot of trouble falling asleep,” he said. “Ha, ha, very funny, sir,” Joden said. “As if you didn’t know you’d foiled a coup.” “I did?” “There’s no point in being modest now,” Bridger said, winking broadly. “Not after Overlord Pherander has given you credit for nosing out a nest of serpents in his palace and subduing the ringleader, Lord Marlos.” “Marlos!” Gabel blinked. “Where’s Alander?”

The Golden | Connie Bailey 19 Joden frowned, glancing at the servant. “I don’t think you want to bandy that name about, sir,” he said. “If you’ll take my advice, just nod, smile, and count your blessings. Overlord Pherander has signed the trade agreement and named you as sponsor to the Trade Alliance. You’re rich, captain.” “I’m not complaining, but I think we’re glossing over some crucial facts. First of all, it was the bed warmer that kicked Marlos’s homicidal ass.” “Not now,” Joden said as the door opened. “Look smart, sir; here’s the overlord.” Gabel jumped to his feet and swaddled a sheet around his hips. The stickiness between his thighs chose that moment to itch maddeningly, but he ignored it, bowing respectfully as the overlord’s entourage swept into the room. A darkly handsome man with the physique of a warrior-god stopped in front of Gabel, but the captain had eyes only for the young man behind the ruler. The connection he felt to the concubine was as tangible as a cord binding them together. Gabel found he was trembling with the effort to stay in his place, to resist the pull Alander’s presence exerted on him. “Don’t speak,” Joden hissed in Gabel’s ear. “Let the overlord do the talking.” “Honored guest,” Pherander the Just inclined his head to Captain Telsun, “you are doubly welcome. You bring new prosperity, greater contact with the world outside my kingdom, and you have revealed a plot to disgrace me and place another man on my throne. I am grateful to you.”

The Golden | Connie Bailey 20 Gabel inclined his head, doing his best not to look at Alander and failing miserably. Pherander turned to look over his shoulder. “Alander, if you wish to say anything to this man, you have my leave.” Alander fixed his fathomless eyes on Gabel for a moment only before his gaze flicked back to Pherander. “Nay, My Lord,” he said. “It has all been said.” Pherander smiled. “Alander is not usually so sparing with his words, but maybe it is only the first of many welcome changes for our people.” The overlord departed with his coterie, leaving his wizard to finish negotiations.

BY day’s end, the trade agreement was signed, and Gabel left Kroasen with the guarantee of a commission that would enable him to buy his cruiser and pay a crew for at least two seasons. However, he was troubled by what had happened to him on the planet, and he found that attaining his dream did not bring him contentment. He was haunted by the memory of a union so perfect that it lived on in the very fiber of his being, resonating as endlessly as a distress beacon. No matter where he traveled, an intangible elastic band connected him to Kroasen, and the farther away he got, the more strain he endured. The crew was aware of the captain’s distress, and it began to affect the operation of the entire ship. The chief medical officer was seriously considering ordering an involuntary psychiatric exam when the Lucy received an emergency

The Golden | Connie Bailey 21 communiqué. In the fastest time a faster-than-light ship could travel, the merchant craft took up a stable orbit around Kroasen, and a landing party went down. “Jode,” Gabel embraced the leader of the welcoming committee warmly. “There’s still an empty berth on the Lucy with your name on it.” “Forgive me, Captain,” Joden Bridger said. “I’ve grown to love this planet so much that it’s hard to think about leaving it.” “Your message said it was urgent that I return to Kroasen,” Gabel prompted. “The overlord has a proposition for you.” Joden led Gabel to Pherander the Just’s audience chamber. Stopping in front of the dais, the two men bowed to the dignitaries assembled there. As Gabel straightened, his eyes went immediately to the tall, sleekly muscled figure standing to the right of the throne. The others might as well not have existed; even the vibrant presence of the overlord could not overshadow the light of the beautiful young man at his side. Pherander took hold of Alander’s wrist to pull him forward and eclipsed Gabel’s joy in seeing him again. Alander belonged to another, and Gabel’s heart ached as he realized why he could find no peace. “Captain Telsun,” Pherander grasped Gabel’s hand, doing the captain the highest honor possible, “thank you for returning to Kroasen.” “It’s my pleasure,” Gabel said, unable to wrest his gaze from Alander.

The Golden | Connie Bailey 22 “Now, Captain,” Pherander nodded at the concubine. “Do you wish to say anything to Prince Alander?” “Prince?” Gabel repeated, looking at Joden. “Is there something important you neglected to tell me about Alander?” “I only recently learned of the relationship myself, sir. In brief, Alander was raised from the day he was born by warrior monks of Ander, their principal god of battle. He’s been groomed in isolation and purity to take the place of the high priest when he dies.” Overlord Pherander cleared his throat. “Forgive us, my Lord,” Joden said. “And please grant us a few more moments so I may explain to my captain about Kroaseni customs.” “Very well, but I insist on knowing the truth of what is between him and my brother. This is no small matter.” “Thank you, my Lord.” “Am I in trouble here, Jode?” Bridger’s lips twitched. “Let me finish explaining. Alander reached his majority and returned home just before you arrived. Pherander’s wizard suspected a plot among some of his vassals and came up with a plan to flush them out using you as a lure. Of course, the life of a guest is sacred, so to ensure that you weren’t harmed, they replaced the courtesy bed warmer with a warrior disguised as a royal concubine.” “A warrior who’s a prince and a monk?”

The Golden | Connie Bailey 23 “None of the vassal lords would recognize Alander, and he had two other outstanding qualifications for the job. First of all, he is attractive enough to pass for a royal concubine, and second, he’s been in combat training for twenty years.” “I see.” “There’s too much to explain.” Joden pointed the captain toward the dais. “Just do what seems right to you.” “Captain Telsun,” Overlord Pherander said. “Do you claim my brother as your mate?” Mate? Gabel mouthed in astonishment before answering truthfully. “I do,” he said firmly. Pherander smiled and inclined his head to Gabel. “Hail, Lord Gabel,” he said. “Lord Gabel?” Gabel said out of the corner of his mouth. “You’ve bonded with a royal heir,” Joden said. “The elevation to the aristocracy is automatic. The prince can’t have a commoner for a consort, after all.” “You sound as though you’re enjoying this, Officer Bridger.” “Why shouldn’t I? I’m not the one that deflowered the overlord’s little brother.” “Yeah, but they seem happy about it,” Gabel said. “They are,” Joden confirmed. “It fulfills one of their oldest prophecies. Are you?”

The Golden | Connie Bailey 24 “Happy?” Gabel looked up at Alander’s shining face. “Oh, yeah,” he breathed. “Happy enough to give up your ship?” Gabel’s head spun toward the liaison officer. “Give up my ship? Why?” “That’s the choice you’re facing. Are you ready to settle here and be a partner to Alander, lover, advisor, and true companion to the spiritual ruler of all Kroasen?” Gabel’s mouth fell open, and it was a moment before he closed it. “All of Kroasen?” “You heard me, you lucky hound. You get that bloodthirsty charmer,” Joden glanced at Alander, “and more power and riches than most men can dream of.” “Okay.” Gabel smiled up at Alander and raised his voice. “But I’d still want him if he was a pleasure slave with nothing to his name.” Alander smiled back and glided down the shallow steps to meet Gabel halfway. “Are you certain?” he asked. “We only had one night,” Gabel said. “And my memory of it is still hazy in spots, but I know that you mean more to me than anything else in the world.” Gabel was surprised to see the young man blink away tears. Alander was a warrior of an ancient line of warriors and a prince of the blood, not a “sentimental female.” “Forgive me for the deception when we first met, but it was my honor to volunteer for the duty.”

The Golden | Connie Bailey 25 “Of course, I did not foresee that you and my brother would couple,” Pherander said. “Neither did I, but he seemed pretty set on it at the time.” The overlord’s regal mask was softened by the hint of a smile playing around the corners of his mouth. “In the heat of the moment, as the honored Joden would say.” “I remember the heat, but my memories of that night are a little… incomplete.” Pherander’s wizard nodded sagely. “The melding of two souls that are halves of one perfect bond can be an overwhelming experience—especially for those not fortunate enough to be born and educated among the Kroaseni. Your separation from Alander must have been a terrible torment in your ignorance of the source of your pain. If you will submit yourself to instruction at—” The overlord interrupted, addressing Captain Telsun again. “There is no doubt that your union with my brother is graced with a true bond, and if you will take his hand in pledge of your troth, I will give you my blessing. Answer now and for all of your life: do you accept the burden as well as the gift?” “I do,” Gabel said. Pherander put Alander’s hand in Gabel’s, and a golden cord was wound about their wrists. The overlord held their joined hands above their heads and the royal court of Kroasen cheered their union.

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AND that is the story of how golden-haired children like you came to be born to the royal line of Kroasen, my heart, and so fulfilled an ancient legend that brought great glory and riches to our people. The outlander captain loved the Kroaseni prince and gave up his life of raiding in the star lanes to rule long, wisely and well beside Alander Wolf-Heart. Gabel the Golden loved Alander so much that he gave his seed to a royal wizard so they might have children. By magical arts, the seed was planted in the womb of a princess who bore an heir to the greater fame of our house, and she was Anderan Sunhair, the three times great-grandmother of your grandmother. Now, close your eyes, for even the wolf’s cub must sleep sometime. Have no fear; I will sit beside your bed and keep away the ghosts until you are in the land of dreams. Good night, my little one. I love you.

Born on an Air Force base, CONNIE BAILEY has been in flight ever since. Her father took the family wherever he was stationed: Spain, Morocco, Turkey, Alaska, and more; then while studying commercial arts, Connie married a musician who turned out to be a pilot in disguise. His job as an aircraft designer and competition pilot has taken them all over the world. Reading has been Connie’s favorite diversion since age four, and books are among her best friends. With her husband’s support, she set out to become an author, writing every day and posting at various Internet groups and blogs; she cannot recommend that school of writing highly enough. The candid feedback she received was invaluable to her development. A few fun facts: she lives at a small grass airfield with a hang gliding school, has what’s commonly referred to as a “photographic memory,” and collects words as a hobby. Visit her Web site at http://www.conniebailey.com/ and her blog at http://baileymoyes.livejournal.com/.

The Golden ©Copyright Connie Bailey, 2009 Published by Dreamspinner Press 4760 Preston Road Suite 244-149 Frisco, TX 75034 http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/ This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the authors’ imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental. Cover Design by Mara McKennen This book is licensed to the original purchaser only. Duplication or distribution via any means is illegal and a violation of International Copyright Law, subject to criminal prosecution and upon conviction, fines and/or imprisonment. This eBook cannot be legally loaned or given to others. No part of this eBook can be shared or reproduced without the express permission of the publisher. To request permission and all other inquiries, contact Dreamspinner Press at: 4760 Preston Road, Suite 244-149, Frisco, TX 75034 http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/ Released in the United States of America September 2009 eBook Edition eBook ISBN: 978-1-61581-053-6