The Moon's Shadow by Catherine Asaro

himself. He had to be more careful. He strove to recover his Highton tone. “Where did you come from? You’ve been dead for years.”
    Kelric evaded the question. “Why were you with the Dawn Corps? It makes no sense. You expressed sympathy for the Ruby Dynasty.”
    Jai shrugged. “Perhaps you remember what you wish.”
    “No. And you look familiar. I don’t know why. But I know you.”
    Jai longed to reveal himself, to seek the solace of his kinship with this man. He didn’t dare. But he could help his uncle escape. He stepped down from the throne and walked to Kelric. Laying his hands on the rail separating them, he regarded his uncle steadily. “Go. Now. While you can.”
    “You would let me go?”
    “Yes.”
    “Why?”
    Sorrow tugged at Jai. If anyone could help him ensure his parents hadn’t died in vain, it was Kelric. His hopes, fears, and longing all mixed into his voice. “Meet me at the peace table.”
    “You want me to believe you wish peace, when you have a Lock and two Keys?”
    Jai tilted his head. “What Lock? It no longer works. We had one Key. We gave him back.”
    Kelric waited. Then he said, “Gave who back?”
    “Your brother. Eldrin Valdoria.”
    Kelric stiffened. “Don’t lie to me, Highton.”
    “Why would I lie?”
    “It’s what you Hightons do. Lie, manipulate, cheat.”
    He heard the pain that underlay his uncle’s anger and knew Kelric had suffered his own trials. Would that I could tell you the truth. Jai hurt so much, surrounded by Aristos, cut off from his former life, unable to confide in anyone. He struggled to maintain his crumbling Aristo facade. “I’ve little interest in your imagined list of Highton ills.”
    Kelric spoke slowly. “Eube would never give its Key to the Allieds. Not when you finally had a Lock. Nothing is worth it.”
    “Not even me?”
    Kelric went very still. “You, for Eldrin?”
    “Yes.” Jai could sense his uncle’s mind even more now; Kelric wanted to believe his brother was in the custody of the Allied Worlds, but his hope fought with his conviction that the Aristos would never trade their Ruby psion.
    “You are right,” Jai added dryly, thinking of his dismal showing as emperor. “It wasn’t a universally popular decision. But it is done. I am emperor and your brother is an Allied prisoner.”
    Although Kelric controlled his expressions, Jai was picking up more from his uncle, including Kelric’s innate decency and stoicism. The older man’s sorrow for the family he had lost also filled his mind. He didn’t believe Eldrin was free; he thought Jai was taunting him while Razers waited to take him prisoner.
    Troubled, Jai said, “I am alone.”
    Kelric froze. “Why did you say that?”
    Jai silently swore. He had become so caught up in their exchange, he hadn’t realized he was responding to his uncle’s thoughts. “You didn’t wonder if I had guards? I find that hard to believe.”
    Kelric didn’t hide his disbelief. “And you just happened to come in—alone—when I was here.”
    “Ah, well.” Jai realized he could only stretch the truth so far. “It would be a great coincidence, yes? But I knew you were here.”
    “How?”
    “Perhaps you could say I felt it.”
    “Perhaps. I don’t believe it.”
    “I suppose not.” Jai rubbed his chin, trying to think of another excuse. “I detected your entrance in the station web.” He felt as if time were rushing past them. The longer they spent here, the greater the chance his guards would come for him and find Kelric. “Imperator Skolia, meet me when we can discuss peace.”
    “Why should I believe you want this?”
    “Ask for something I can grant as proof of my intent.”
    Kelric paused, thinking. Then he said, “There is a man. A Skolian. Jafe Maccar, captain of the Corona. ” Anger sparked in Kelric’s mind. “After a battle at the space station Chrysalis, Maccar was sentenced to ten years in an ESComm prison. Unjustly.” His forthright gaze became a