The Last Praetorian Read Online Free PDF Page A

at
the sight of the Imperial Princess sneaking into his personal quarters at 3
o’clock in the morning in muted shock! 
    Finally recovering his wits, he gasped. “Have you taken
complete leave of your senses? You cannot be here!  If anybody saw you and word
reached your father, he would, he would…” Actually Jon was not entirely sure
what the Emperor would do, but he was very much attached to his head and would
prefer that it remain…well, attached.
    “Stop fussing, nobody saw me.  I have spent most of my life
on this ship and know how to get to places without being observed…” Jon did not
want to even contemplate the implications of that statement.  “Please put on a
shirt, I don’t want to give people the wrong impression.”  Jon had a sudden
vision of somebody walking in on this meeting at three in the morning with her
royal highness, Princess Aurelius, jewel of the empire in his presence and him
being half naked…  He made a grab for the nearest shirt and quickly buttoned it
up to make himself somewhat presentable. 
    Fixing the Princess with another angry stare Jon re-iterated
his earlier question. “What are you doing here in my quarters at three in the
morning?”
    “Why Commander,” Sofia replied coquettishly. “Would you have
preferred to meet me in my quarters?  I could always ask my father…”
    Once again Sofia had got the better of him and Jon started
to realise that along with beauty the Princess had also inherited her father’s
razor sharp intellect.  Realising that this was not the way to spar with the Princess
instead he fell back to his formal bearing.  “Not at all Princess, I am always
ready to serve you and your father.  I was simply inquiring how I could be of
assistance.” 
    Sofia frowned at his formal response and replied with an
impish smile, “I think I preferred you without the shirt.  Anyway, as to why I
am here I wanted to understand your actions earlier this evening.” 
    Thinking back to the events in the officer lounge Jon tried
to think what particular action she was referring to.  Remembering his anger
directed towards her, that it was though her actions that young man had to
suffer and slashing the sword towards her… “Princess Aurelius I would never
have harmed…if my actions frightened you…” Jon tried to explain. 
    Sofia’s eyes clouded in confusion for a moment before she understood
what Jon was referring to.  Her expression softening, she moved forward to lay
a delicate hand on his chest.  Jon could feel the heat of her palm pressing
though the thin shirt and for a brief moment regretted having put on the shirt.
    “You never harmed me and I was never frightened by what you
did.  Ever since father made you head of the Praetorians I have always felt…
safe with you around, knowing that nothing could harm me as they would have to
go through you - my own white knight, with his magical sword.”  Sofia explained
wistfully with a hint of sadness. 
    Jon took a few moments to consider what her life must have
been like, growing up without a mother, surrounded by her father’s court. 
Deciding that this topic of conversation was getting too personal Jon instead
replied truthfully to her earlier question. “You wanted to know why I spared
the boy’s life?”  Sofia made a small nod to acknowledge that this is indeed
what she had been asking about.
    “I have seen too much senseless death and destruction over
the years.”  Jon tried to explain haltingly, “from the unification wars,
through to the separatist struggles and pirate attacks.  I just did not want
another senseless death on my conscience tonight.  Anyway…” Jon replied with a
grin, “I am not that old and can clearly remember doing stupid things to try
and impress the most beautiful girl at the party!” 
    Sofia seemed to mull his answer over in her head for a few
moments before smiling softly and leaning forward kissed him on the cheek
gently.
    “Well…” she blushed