“Savage dogs are best put down would you not agree Vulcan Father?”  Christina turned to Spock.

“Your logic is impeccable as always Daughter.  Savage dogs do not respect the most ancient of traditions which both Vulcan and Romulan brothers and sisters adhere to.  It is our common heritage that is honored in the keeping.”  Spock stepped out of his Vulcan persona to be the father Christina needed and the man his wife respected.  “It is your right to deal with him.”

“I am Tec, Commander of the Crown Guard of Romulus and Rhemus.  You will withdraw.”  He was agitated now and the true certainty of those before him rattled him.  He pressed his alarm key and the hall filled with guards.

“You will yield before the Empresses of Romulus and Rhemus.”  Rheana spoke and the ring she wore registered with Tec.  He looked to the hand of the Vulcan’s wife and saw its mate.  He sank to the ground. 

“Majesties” the guard he commanded followed suit and sank to obeisance.

“It would serve you well to ensure that the Consort of the Princesses of Rhemus is released posthaste.”

He scrambled to his feet “At once.”

It took all the willpower that Christina possessed not to charge into the room. 

Elizabeth was shackled like an animal to the post of a heavy wooden bedpost of ancient origin.  Christina saw the red welts around her wrists and the faint bruises along her jaw and her blood burned. 

She could tell Elizabeth was shielding her pain from her.  The meld had burned hotter the closer she had come to the door.  Elizabeth knew she was near even before she saw her.  She had dampened her pain not wanting Christina to know of it. Still the hazel eyes that met hers saw everything.

“Release her.” Tec bellowed.  Even as the sub commander scurried to obey Christina stopped him with a word. 

“Hold.”

Sub commander Tuk was confused as to who to obey and looked to his commander.   

“By what right does one touch the Consort of the Princess of Rhemus?”  The fury in her tone caused the Guard to shrink.  She stalked to the one called Tuk and took the key.  She released Elizabeth and her anger grew as she looked closely at her bruised wrists. She did not touch her because if she did she would not stop until she assured herself on every level that her beloved was safe and well.

“The fault is mine alone Majesties.”  Tec sank to the ground.

“You shall answer for your transgressions, Tec.”  Rheana glared at him.  “Yours however is not the greatest being borne in ignorance.  The Princess Rachael and her mother Rebecca will be dealt with first.  “Can you now serve with the honor of a Romulan?”

“I can and will, Majesty.”  He answered. 

“Even a Romulan should not have abused a betrothed of any rank in this way.”  Rhaina noted furious at the affront.

“She attacked us with a vengeance” Tec declared rubbing his jaw, the bruise was faint but there.  “We did not expect such a fight from a single Terran female.  She almost escaped and the Crown Princess demanded her restraint.  I violated the code of honor and will answer with my life.”

“It’s true” Elizabeth verified his accounting. “I was not happy at being restrained and they did warn me repeatedly not to resist as they had no choice but to hold me.” 

“No one touches the Consort of the Princess of Rhemus, or the betrothed of Christina of Vulcan, or the Princess of Antares without her consent or mine.  No one.”  Christina declared.

Elizabeth took a step back.  She did not recognize this woman.  She was dressed in the same manner of Rachael and lacked the civility that she came to associate with Vulcans.  “Christina?”

The query pulled her up short.   She came to herself and was mortified.  She would have bolted except for the pleased gratitude that flowed to her within their meld.  ‘I did not expect your Romulan self to come for me.’ She heard Elizabeth’s laughter in her mind.  ‘She seems to be armed with ancient Vulcan and Terran as well.  Does all of you love me that much?’ 

‘I love you with all that I am.’  Hazel eyes lifted to ebony.  “Here” she answered aloud.