As they walked inside, Jarek noticed that Mei distanced herself slightly from him, making sure there was space between their bodies. He wanted nothing more than to bow to her parents and proclaim her as his life mate. His crew would help him run away with her, no questions asked.
With that thought swirling in his head, Jarek’s gaze darted around the hall, not really seeing anything as he searched for the emperor and empress.
You’ve met royalty before, he assured himself. You are royalty, and you have done them a great service in finding the drug traders in their rival’s mines. You have every right to expect appreciation.
Yeah, and I’ve also been bedding their daughter for weeks now. Parents don’t always look favorably on that fact.
Jarek took a deep breath, feeling like a Var child on the first day of warrior training under the imposing Commander Falke. Though, he’d much rather face a thousand commanding brothers in battle simulation, than upset the two petite, almost frail, looking people before him.
The Zhang emperor and empress sat on high thrones above the hall. Carved golden dragons coiled around the royal couple. The emperor had a long mustache that hung down the front of his tunic. They wore matching yellow embroidered silk robes decorated with imperial red dragons and ancient symbols. Since he’d seen the symbol carved on almost every surface, Jarek assumed it was either the family name or the character for royalty.
“Mei!” The empress stood, coming quickly down the platform to her daughter. Mei hurried forward and took her mother’s hands. The empress looked over her daughter’s shoulder to Jarek and his crew, her expression grateful. “I thank you for caring for my daughter, Prince Jarek of the Var, and for your service to the Zhang Dynasty.”
“It was our pleasure to be of service, Empress,” Jarek bowed at the waist.
The empress smiled and reached a hand to her daughter’s cheek. She whispered something and kissed Mei’s forehead before letting go of her.
“Emperor,” Mei bowed her head to her father, before holding out her hand to gesture behind her. “May I present, Prince Jarek of the Var and his crew—Rick, Evan, Lochlann, Jackson, and Dev. It was their hospitality and aid that allowed me to fulfill fate’s plan and discover the drug traders within the Lin Yao Mines. They are also the ones who discovered the map that Haun now possesses. We owe them all greatly for the service and kindness bestowed upon us, and I ask that you honor them as they have honored me.”
“Your service to the empire is noted and appreciated,” the emperor answered, bowing his head though he didn’t get up from his seat.
“Prince Jarek,” Mei said, turning to him. “May I present to you my family, Emperor Zhang, the Empress,” she motioned to her siblings in turn, drawing his attention to them, “Prince Jin, Prince Lian, Princess Fen and Prince Shen.”
Each royal family member bowed their head as their name was called. Jin stared at him the longest, a slight smile curling the side of his mouth. Jarek wondered about the look. In an odd way, the man reminded him of his brother, Falke, at least the way Falke had been before he married Samantha. Jin wasn’t militant in nature like Falke was, but he was collected. There was something in his eyes, a seriousness or a burden. It was hard to put his finger on.
“My family is in your debt for your great service, and we would like to present you with the golden dragon,” the empress said. Prince Lian turned and lifted a yellow pillow from a table behind him. Extending his arms, he presented the tiny figurine.
“I accept your gift on behalf of my crew,” Jarek answered, taking the figurine and giving it the proper amount of attention. He’d been to enough ceremonies to be able to figure out what was happening. Turning, he handed the item to Lochlann to hold.
The empress whispered to her daughter, and Mei nodded. Mei motioned for Jarek and his crew to follow as she walked from the hall. Once outside, she let loose a long sigh. “I think you impressed them.”
The men nodded, returning her look.
“That’s it?” Rick asked. “Huh. That was simple.”
“You kept your mouth shut,” Lochlann teased. “There was nothing simple about that.”
“You have no idea,” Rick said. “Did you see… Uh, Mei, is your sister single?”
“Don’t even think about it,” Jarek ordered. The guys laughed, and Rick grumbled.
“Fen is too sweet for you, Rick,” Mei said. “She’d probably bore you.”
“Sweets never bore me,” Rick assured her.
“No,” Jarek affirmed.
“Come on, Rick,” Lochlann said. “Let’s think of a plan to get you back to the Galaxy Playmates’ mansion.”
“There probably won’t be any more mansion trips,” Rick grumbled as the men pulled him away from where Mei and Jarek stood in front of the Hall of Infinite Wisdom. “Look at him. He’s in love. Now we’re not going to have any fun.”
“Ah, man,” Jackson said. “You can’t think of it like that.”
“Yeah,” Lochlann assured him. “It just means that there will be more ladies for us.”
Mei laughed softly, shaking her head at their conversation, as she directed her attention to Jarek. “My mother has instructed me to feed you before you leave. And they offer any supplies you might need to repair your ship. When I was with Haun, I communicated with them and told them everything that had happened.”
“Everything?” he asked, trying to smile. The look failed. He was too sad.
“No, not everything. I would not tell them that, qin ài de. You would not want to lose certain parts of your anatomy, would you?”
“Would they really punish me in such a way?” Jarek bent over, and his hand moved in a protective gesture over his balls. Though, for Mei’s touch, he’d gladly risk life and limb—even that special limb.
“No, not really,” she said. “They know such things happen between a man and woman.”
“And somehow, I see you as too wild of a flower for them to keep tame, fea.”
“Like the wind.” A tear slipped from her eye. She blinked, as if trying to keep them back, but more only spilled over her lids.
Jarek moved, so her back was to the men, hoping to save her any embarrassment. He noticed the men stepped away from them and was grateful for the privacy. “I don’t want to go, Mei. I want to be with you forever. I will be your servant just to be near you. I will live here.”
“You would give up space for me?” she sniffed.
“I would give up eternity for you, my love. Sweet fea, I would give my life for just a second more of you.” Jarek’s hand balled into a fist. Not touching her was torture. “Just say the words, I beg you. Tell me what I have to do to be with you. I will do anything. Please, don’t make me go. Don’t make me leave you behind. I don’t think I can do it.”
“I wish there was a way, Jarek. I truly do. But...” Mei took a deep breath, reaching forward to grab Jarek’s hands in hers. “You know what I must do. I promise you, Jarek, there will not be a day that goes by when I don’t think of you. But this is so much more than us. Fate has seen me with Lok. To defy that wish would be to bring disaster to my homeland. I cannot be responsible for that. I cannot. I cannot. Please, don’t ask me to because I don’t know if I am strong enough to do what I must.”
“Will you not even try?” he pleaded. “Present me to them as your—”
“As my lover? We are not so prudish, but neither are my parents so understanding of those things, for they are still parents.” Mei closed her eyes, and more tears slid in long trails down her face, wetting the front of her silk gown. “I’m sorry, Jarek. My place is here. My duty is here. I cannot forsake it. I would never forgive myself. And my greatest fear is that in time I would come to resent you for it as well.”
“I’ve been thinking of how I was going to kidnap you and take you with me by force,” Jarek admitted.
“You can’t.”
“I know. But, I love you too much, fea. You are it for me. You are my life mate.”
“Jarek, no,”
Mei gasped. “You can’t do that. You… No. You’ll not have anyone else. I don’t want you to live alone forever because of me. I don’t want you dying of a broken heart. Please… No. I don’t ask that of you. I can’t ask it of you.”
“I’m sorry, fea. It is already done. It’s been done. I can’t take it back. My body knows its mate, and you are it. All I want is you.” Jarek pulled her to him. Her mouth turned up willingly, and she kissed him passionately. Mei’s tongue fought with his as they desperately clung to each other.
“Uh...”
The sound didn’t register in his mind. Mei was in his arms, and he couldn’t let go.
“Cap?” Rick hissed only to say more forcibly, “Captain Jarek!”
Jarek pulled Mei closer. Just a moment more. Please, just let me hold her a little longer. Sweet fate, if you are going to take her from me, please just give me this last moment in her arms before I have to say goodbye.
“Zhang Mei!”
The horrified yell was enough to jolt him back. Jarek blinked heavily, looking over Mei’s head. It took a stunned moment to assess what was happening. Mei’s kiss was on his lips, but so were her legs wrapped around his waist. In horror, he realized her parents were staring back at him. Turning his gaze to Mei, he saw that she was a little slower in coming to her senses.
“Mei,” he whispered, not knowing how to proceed. She clung desperately to him like she would never let go. Her face was still wet from tears, and he tasted the salt from them on his lips, felt the moisture of them drying on his cheek.
Mei gasped as Jarek said her name, sliding down off his body. He shifted his weight, trying to hide his erection. It was no use. He’d worn his best pair of slacks which also happened to be a tighter pair. There was no hiding what he felt for Mei. Even without the mass between his thighs, he was sure they’d see the love in him for her. He hoped they would. He prayed to her fates, to his gods, to gods he didn’t even know about, that it would be so.
“Zhang Mei,” the empress repeated. Mei’s face paled, and she rubbed her hands over her eyes, drying them, before turning around to face her parents. She bowed her head. The royal siblings were behind the empress, watching their sister intently. The emperor glared at Jarek from the empress’ side. “What are you doing?”
“Please,” Jarek said, moving to stand protectively in front of his lover. “This is my doing. Don’t blame—”
“Prince Jarek. Though we said we appreciate your service to the Zhang Dynasty,” the emperor said. “We did not mean that to imply you could take whatever you wish as a reward for—”
“Emperor, please,” Mei pleaded. “It’s my fault as well. Jarek is my...” She hesitated, looking up at him. Very softly, she finished, “He’s my lover.”
The empress gasped. Haun didn’t move, but he did stare at his sister with an incalculable expression. The emperor’s eyes narrowed on Jarek. Princess Fen smiled slightly, hiding it behind her hand as she leaned into Prince Shen’s shoulder. Prince Lian thoughtfully watched over them all, neither approving nor condemning as he seemed to contemplate what was happening.
“Mei?” the empress managed, her voice trembling in apparent confusion.
“I said he is my lover,” Mei repeated, moving closer to Jarek’s side. She took up his hand. “And I love him. He is my heart. Emperor, please.” She paused before adding, “Father, I love him.”
“But, Prince Lok,” the emperor said. “Your fate.”
“Mei,” the empress took a step forward. “Please consider what you do. I know the Songs are not what you would have, but this is not just about us. It’s about Lintian. It’s about our people and how we can best serve them.” She motioned to Jarek. “This match has nothing to offer your future as a Zhang princess.”
“We don’t know that,” Prince Jin said. “I think we should listen to what Mei has to say.”
The empress shot him a stern look. When she turned, he tried to give his sister a reassuring smile behind their mother’s back.
“I speak not of my future as a Zhang princess. I speak of my future as a woman. I know my duty,” she said. Her hand shook in his and Jarek desperately wanted to pull her into his protective embrace. “And I know I must sacrifice love for duty. I know what is being asked of me. But when you speak of this… When you say… Father? Please, I love him. Can we not consider…”
“Emperor, please, hear us out. The knowledge I have of the universe could not be gained by staying on my home planet of Qurilixen. Mei can still be loyal to her family and not live within the palace, just as I am in service to my people. They depend upon my knowledge of the universe, and this knowledge I will gladly pledge in service to your empire. I humbly ask for your daughter’s life, a life spent with mine, as my true wife, my mate. And I will swear on the souls of my ancestors that I will give her my life. I will take care of her and protect her. And, if ever you need us, all you have to do is call, and we will come.” Jarek stared earnestly at them, hoping they would see his honest heart for what it was.
“You speak well, Prince Jarek,” the emperor said, nodding. “But you are not her fate. It has been seen. It is out of our hands.”
“Forgive me for arguing, but could it not be that I am her fate? That she was put on my ship to find me, as well as the map and the drug traders?” Jarek touched Mei’s shoulder in support.
“If it helps, nowhere does it say in the scrolls that what the ancestors tell us is necessarily fated. Not that I believe great-grandmother is wrong, but shouldn’t we consider there might be other options,” Jin inserted.
“Jin, I know you mean well, and I know you are connected to our past, but this is about Mei.” The empress again gave him a stern look.
“I say this not only for Mei, Empress, but for all of your children’s futures.” Jin took a step forward. “I would not see any have to give up their heart for the sake of honor. You know I honor the traditions, keep them, and I would give my life for the empire. But, if Mei has found her heart then—”
“It has been decided,” the emperor interrupted his son. “Prince Jarek, that your proposal is sincere I have no doubt, but this...” He motioned as if that was the end of it.
“This has not been decided by us,” the empress said, picking up where her husband left off, “but by fate. Fate has chosen Prince Lok for you, my daughter.”
“Your place is with the father of your baby!”
Jarek jolted in surprise at the intruder’s voice. He turned, shaken to see a transparent figure had joined them on the Hall of Infinite Wisdom’s front steps. The womanly spirit was dressed in a Lintianese gown though the style wasn’t exactly like the mortal women before him. Her long sleeves drifted behind her as the breeze swept her body forward, blowing her long, dark hair streaked with white around her head.
“An apparition,” Lochlann mumbled.
“No, it’s a ghost,” Jackson said.
“Yeah, that’s what I said,” Lochlann returned.
“Holy space balls,” Rick swore. He reached forward, trying to poke his finger into the transparent woman. She turned to look at him, her brow arched in surprise at his daring. Every one of her movements was silent, like the breeze. Rick didn’t seem fazed by her look as he ran his hand into her upper leg. “She feels like air.” He made a move to do it again, and the spirit glided out of his reach.
“This is my great-grandmother, Zhang An. She is my ancestor who helps to watch over and guide us,” Mei said to Jarek. She quickly introduced the spirit to the others, not taking the care she had done when introducing her father to them. Jarek nodded, not sure what to say to the spirit.
“Grandmother,” the empress said, “we can handle this.”
“Mm,” An answered, drifting past the empress. She sounded unsure of the woman’s claim.
“Great-grandmother,” Mei said. “I have heard your predictions, and I know why Prince Song Lok must be my husband. I understand now that my marriage will bring peace to our world and will help cement the relations between o
ur two nations. With what we have discovered, I know that my marriage will mend what has been done.”
“I said all that?” An snorted, the sound very unladylike.
“Yes, you said you consulted all the powers,” Mei insisted. “Can’t you remember? You said you did the oracle bones, the divining basin, even listened to the wind. You said you saw my fate. Please, don’t you remember?”
“I did all those things, but I never said you were to marry Prince Lok. I said the first foreign man of royal blood whose path you crossed would be both father of your child and husband to you. You and your father decided on Prince Lok. I did not.”
“Blessed stars,” Rick mumbled, “Even her voice is airy. Jackson, you have to feel her. I swear, it’s like she’d not even there, but she is.”
“But,” Mei stepped toward the woman, ignoring Rick. Jarek didn’t bother with the man. His ears strained to hear everything that was being said between the spirit and Mei. This was his future they were talking about, his heart. He didn’t have time to worry about Rick getting his ass thrown in prison if he insulted the Zhang emperor. There would be time for that later. “Prince Lok was the first man of non-Zhang royal blood to cross my path. Our marriage will ensure peace. It makes sense.”
“Your place is with the father of your child,” An insisted, her words slow and careful.
“I know that. I know I will bear him a child.” Mei gave Jarek a forlorn look of regret and mouthed so the rest of them couldn’t see, “I’m sorry you have to hear this, my love.”
He shook his head, not wishing her to worry about him. Although, the thought of another man’s child in her womb tormented him greatly.
“Grandmother?” the empress demanded. “Stop speaking in riddles. Out with it. If you know something you are not saying, say it now.”
“What riddles? Who is speaking in riddles? I was quite clear,” An huffed. “I said the first foreign man of royal blood whose path she crossed.”
“And that was Prince Lok,” the empress interrupted. “Mei went there with Haun, and they negotiated the exploration of the Lin Yao Mines.”
The Pirate Prince Page 17