Judged by Viola Grace Page B

stay on Dyango. It is a good world and you need a home, Alice.”
    He released her hand and stroked her cheek lightly.
    His grandson Corion chose that moment to arrive.
    Hecor looked to Corion. “You have taken your time.”
    Alice blinked at the harsh tone.
    “I was told that you had wed your Companion, and I wanted to see for myself.” Corion looked at Alice with distaste.
    Hecor stroked her cheek again. “You are seeing it. Alice has been much more than my Companion, and if I could do one thing, it would be to make an honest woman out of her.”
    She smiled and blinked away tears. “I am always honest, Hecor.”
    “I know, but you need the protection that my name will give you, and so I have given it. It was the least I could do for your faultless assistance.”
    Corion spluttered. “You made her a duchess because she worked as your assistant?”
    Alice frowned at Hecor, “Duchess?”
    He shrugged weakly. “It went with the house. Besides, Alice Pinkerton Horilian, Duchess of Kalian, has a nice sound to it. You know how I love sounds.”
    She teared up again and took the hint, humming softly to him in a Nyal lullaby.
    He nodded off, and Corion looked like he wanted to continue the fight.
    Alice rose to her feet, tucked Hecor’s hand under the covers and she left the room.
    Corion followed her, seething.
    The moment they were out in the hall with the door closed behind them, he grabbed her arm. “What do you think you are doing?”
    “I am tending to my friend as he dies.”
    “You manipulated him into marrying you.”
    She scowled. “I did not. He told me about it today. When did he do it by the way?”
    Corion blinked, “Last week. I just got the news today.”
    “Well then, he will be gone soon and you can press to have the agreement dissolved. I will return to the stars and you can squat here like a toad.”
    She jerked her arm free of his grip and returned to Hecor’s side. She would remain on Dyango as long as he needed her. There was no home for her here.
     

Chapter Two
     
     
    The city of Yazku was bright, open, and an Oefric colony. It was the most neutral of sites for the court case and therefore the place that Alice had to come.
    Corion and the nineteen other heirs were fighting for the duchess title. What had started as a small issue where Alice was willing to give up the title had turned into a fight where she had to wait until the heirs had fought for it amongst themselves before she would be allowed to rescind her claim.
    Alice wore what amounted to a designer bodysuit. She was abiding by the Kalian regulations for mourning, so her hair was pinned up in a bun and everything but her face was covered when she went out.
    Her makeup was mourning makeup, so dark lips and gold and white around her eyes.
    She left her hotel and walked the short distance to the courthouse. It was time to watch the family peck at each other. She could hardly wait. Being alone on an alien world with a lawsuit looming sucked.
     
    Seated in her private box, she watched the Oefric judge call the assembled to order. She watched as each family member put forward his or her claim, stating that it was the will of Hecor.
    Alice sat quietly during the two days of testimony, and when the judge turned to her, she jerked to attention. “Yes, your honour?”
    “Please come before us and provide proof to back your claim.”
    She got to her feet and walked to the centre of the courtroom, standing on the deposition icon. In her hand, she had the projector, and she raised it above her head between her cupped hands.
    Hecor spoke from his deathbed and said, “I know my family doesn’t want this mating to stand, but Alice has filled holes in my soul that I have carried since my dearest wife passed away one hundred and twenty years ago.
    “Alice has not asked for this, but if you strip her of title and property, the Nyal Imperium will sweep in. This arrangement is locked in the imperium courts, and they can and will restore Alice