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He kissed her deeply before breaking their embrace and walking to the door of her bedchamber. Dyla saw
him look back, his face etched with worry.
She waved goodbye.
Tonight, she mouthed soundlessly.
***
Duke Darius Telkur sat waiting for his sister at the circular table in his private study with a warm breakfast
spread before him. At nineteen years old, he was young to be a reigning duke, but he was showing remarkable
leadership and compassion in his new position. That was due in part to the advisors and councilors he
surrounded himself with, none more important than the one he was waiting for now, his First Counselor and
twin sister, the Countess of Telkur.
The twins were uniquely blessed with brains, beauty, and advanced psychic abilities, a winning combination
in most everyone’s eyes. Tall and striking, with blue violet eyes and black hair, they were mirror images of each
other with Darius the eldest by mere minutes. Though it was unusual on Otharia for fraternal twins to be equally
strong in two different disciplines, Darius’ telepathic ability rivaled his sister’s empathic skills.
As if on cue, Dyla walked into the room.
“Good morning,” Darius said. “Impeccable timing, the food has just arrived.”
Dyla took her seat at the table.
“Good, I’m starving.”
Their morning ritual started with a private breakfast to discuss the day’s agenda. Darius insisted on their
meeting every morning. At first, Dyla thought it was a patronizing gesture from the newly crowned Duke of
Telkur, but she soon realized her brother valued her advice and insight. As next in line for the crown, it was
essential that she be aware of the intricacies of ruling the realm. She had not realized how busy she would be as
First Counselor when she had consented to take the position.
Darius frowned when he noticed the dark circles under her eyes.
“Are you having visions again?”
Dyla wasn’t surprised at the question. She had mentioned the visions before so it was no stretch for Darius
to guess that she’d had it again. Besides, there wasn’t much they could hide from each other.
“Yes, but this time there was more. I saw Blackheart’s face.”
Darius shook his head.
“Damn, that can’t be good. Any thoughts on what it means?”
“Not exactly, but I have intense feelings of dread and a sense of urgency about him. Blackheart Hanover is
connected to Otharia, I know it, but I don’t know how. The vision is becoming more frantic and threatening. It
means something and we need to investigate it.”
Darius slumped back in his chair, his hand absently rubbing his chin.
“That means another trip to Earth, but the timing couldn’t be worse. I could probably manage a few days
away, but an Earth trip might last for weeks. I can’t leave the duchy so soon after that failed coup attempt. I
have responsibilities to our people.”
“I know. I didn’t mean you and I.”
Darius looked at his sister with growing alarm. It had always been the two of them together against the
world. It seemed strange to him that Dyla would plan an off-world trip without him.
“Oh?”
“I was thinking Eclair, Cat and myself,” Dyla answered.
Darius straightened up in the chair.
“I need to think about that. Another trip could be very dangerous.”
“Darius, there’s no other choice. The visions are becoming more intense. I don’t like the idea of going
without you, but as you pointed out, you have responsibilities here. The rest of us do not bear such heavy
burdens.”
Darius hated to admit it, but she was right. Dyla’s responsibilities as First Counselor could be delegated to
others on the Telkur Council. Cat had no responsibilities and was eager to do anything that would allow her to
return to Earth, and Eclair could request a substitute instructor for his students.