“Medieval earth,” she mused, kicking the folder and contents off her bed with her bare foot as she lay down. Reaching over the side of the bed, she placed the wine glass on the floor. “Not exactly a flattering description--disease, ignorance, superstition, bad hygiene, missing teeth, boils, pockmarks....”
Tori continued mumbling her long list, as she closed her eyes. The mental image she had of the Qurilixian people wasn’t exactly flattering. She was used to dealing with corporate business types and other scientists, not superstitious peasants. In her mind, she decided to recap what she learned from the thin file.
The Var palace was a magnificent structure, dominating the surrounding Var city in the valley beneath it. According to the human women who had come to live in the palace over the centuries, it reminded them of the basic structure of the medieval castles found long ago on earth, with an old Moroccan blend to the architectural design.
The Var people were skilled craftsmen and it showed. Since a Var man would live for hundreds of years, they had a lot of time to perfect their skills. Inside, the palace had fantastically hand-woven rugs for the floors and beds. The beautiful inlaid tile walls were of intricate symmetrical patterns. The tiles showcased an exceptional display of colors--blue, red, orange, gold, green. The arched doorways were carved to perfection and great detail.
But, not only was the palace beautiful, it was functional. The halls were like a maze and it was easy for those not familiar with them to get lost. The mainframe computer was engineered into every room and hall, even the center courtyard the family used for privacy. Siren, the mainframe’s programmed name, could answer questions, read life functions, open doors, prepare food--anything a busy Var prince might need. With the right level of security clearance, a person could even order Siren to locate anyone on the grounds or alert the palace guards. It was here in this lush, cushy paradise that the five Var princes grew up.
The oldest, Kirill, was now king. He was recently named ruler after the death of his father, King Attor. Next in line was Falke, the Commander of the Guards. Reid was Commander of the Outlands and also had a twin brother named....
Tori frowned and sat up. Looking over the side of the bed, she saw the paper she was looking for and picked it up. Scanning her eyes over the sheet in the dim light, she read, “Twin brother named Jarek, personality and situation unknown.”
She dropped the paper and lay back down. The twins were the only princes with the same mother. Jarek was in space so she didn’t have to worry about him.
“Lovely culture,” she mused, chuckling drunkenly. “Okay, Tori, focus. The more facts you know, the better prepared you are.”
Prince Quinn, the youngest of the Var brothers, was the ambassador. Ambassadors, in her experience, were usually bores--ugly, boring, tediously pompous bores.
“Hmm, Prince Quinn. Well, being as I’m a foreigner, I’ll probably have to deal with you,” Tori mumbled thoughtfully. “Let’s just hope you have some semblance of manners, shall we?”
Tori snorted, laughing to herself. She closed her eyes, really close to falling asleep. Her mind swirled with the pleasant numbness of liquor.
“Mmm, let’s just hope you know how to bathe.”
Chapter Two
Prince Quinn of the Var smiled playfully at the lovely woman next to him. Leaning his face forward, he nuzzled her cheek with his light, seductive kisses, flicking his tongue out over her skin until she shivered. “I told you the king was in love. He’ll not take any other mistresses. I’m sorry, Linzi, but you’ll just have to look elsewhere.”
“Elsewhere, like here?” Linzi giggled. She smiled prettily, as her hand went straight for Quinn’s large erection. Impishly batting her dark eyelashes at the handsome prince, she stroked him through his clothes. Her look was of pure invitation, making it clear that she was more than ready to meet the young prince’s desires right then and there in the palace hallway. She licked her lips and tilted her mouth up to his in offering.
Quinn chuckled. Linzi was a beautiful woman and luckily he didn’t have the same problem as his older brother Kirill. Kirill was in love with his mistress, an undercover agent for the Human Intelligence Agency. If Kirill played his hand right, Ulyssa would soon be his queen and he would be life mated to one woman for the rest of his days--giving her the ability to live just as long as he.
Linzi stroked him harder when he didn’t immediately take her offered lips. Quinn’s look darkened, becoming devilishly mischievous in its intent as he leaned in for a kiss. His fingers lifted to cup a firm breast, causing the woman to moan. He had no such plans for life mating to one woman. He liked being carefree. He liked playing around, having fun. Marriage didn’t sound like much fun to him. Besides, what was it his father had always said? “Women are like fruit on the vine, each piece sweeter than the first. Why sample one, when you can sample them all?”
Quinn moaned lightly. If he played his hand right, Linzi would soon be pressed against the palace wall fulfilling his very masculine desires. He deepened his kiss, thrusting his tongue boldly past her lips.
“Excuse me, sir, could you tell me where--Oh, good God in heaven!”
Quinn pulled back from Linzi’s lips and whispered, “Just a moment, sweetheart. Don’t go anywhere.”
Linzi giggled. She was pressed against the wall by Quinn’s body so she couldn’t move if she wanted to. By the look on her face, she definitely didn’t want to.
Smiling, the prince tilted back just far enough to see the bearer of the mortified voice. Quinn wasn’t too surprised to see it was a female scientist. HIA scientists were crawling all over the palace, checking to make sure everyone was all right and not contaminated.
His father, King Attor, had ordered a biological weapon from the Medical Mafia, storing it in a cave in the swamplands. Undercover HIA Agent Ulyssa Payne, Kirill’s mistress, discovered it. With the combined help of the Var and Draig royal houses, they managed to retrieve the weapon so that the HIA could take it off Qurilixen. The fact that the Draig, their ancient enemies, had banded together to help them was a great historical moment. Attor had always strove to conquer the Draig, but his last act in buying the biological weapon just might cause the two houses to find peace. It forced the Draig and Var to work together, to trust each other with their loved ones lives.
The Draig princes and their wives were now guests at the palace and had stayed to make sure the weapon really did leave. No one wanted the weapon left on the planet and they were all more than happy to see it go. If part of it going meant dealing with a bunch of scientists, so be it. It was better to get checked out, instead of not knowing until it was too late that the palace had been contaminated.
The woman scientist averted her gaze to the side, frowning in disapproval. Linzi pulled her hand off his arousal and rested it instead on his arm. Quinn stayed were he was, not moving his palm from her breast. He had nothing to be embarrassed about. Sex was as natural to his people as breathing. Besides, the doctor had wandered into his private hall.
“Can I help you?” he asked politely, as if he’d been caught staring at a cloud in the blue-green Qurilixen sky and not pawing a disheveled woman.
He didn’t think it was possible, but the scientist’s tanned features flushed a darker shade of red. She glanced at the floor then back at the wall. Her fingers clutched at the electronic clipboard she carried. Quinn finally let go of Linzi when he saw the woman wasn’t even tempted to glance back at them. He grinned. There was no point in continuing a show if there was no longer an audience.
“I’ll see you later, my lord,” Linzi said softly. Quinn barely paid her any notice as she went running down the hall toward the palace harem where she lived. She’d been one of King Attor’s women, though she’d never actually slept with the dead king, but was merely a forgotten member of his once massive collection. When their father died in battle against the Draig, Kirill had urged the women to find husbands and leave the palace. Many had done so happily. Those that were left were still techni
cally looking for mates. However, until that day came they were more than happy to bide their time in the harem, flirting and sleeping with the handsome, rich princes.
The scientist didn’t readily speak as Linzi disappeared around the corner. Quinn stepped back from the wall and crossed his arms over his chest. Now that he was closer, he was afforded a better view of her. She was by no means too slender and reedy, but neither was she too plump. The lush curves of her body called to his hands. His palms itched to touch her, to test her womanly softness. Her rounded hips, her larger breasts--breasts made to smother a man’s face in pleasure. Quinn didn’t think it was possible, but his erection lurched and became harder--painful in its size and need.
The scientist took a deep breath and struggled with her words. Finally, she stated, “I’m looking for Prince Quinn. I was told he was in this direction.”
Quinn smiled. The woman again clutched nervously at an electronic clipboard in her hands, working her fingers along the sides. Letting his voice dip, he said, “I’m Quinn.”
“You...?” She blinked in surprise, turning her dark eyes up to him. She assessed him in a cold manner that actually did nothing to hamper his arousal. If anything, he became more excited by it. “You can’t possibly be ... I mean ... you are ... a prince?”
Her words trailed off as her eyes finally traveled down to his protruding groin. A strange squeaking noise sounded in the back of her throat. Quinn grinned, sniffing the air. The sudden pouring of feminine interest emanated from her thighs and he smelled the distinct perfume of her desire, her unmistakable lust. It called to him. Before he knew what he was doing, he stepped forward and reached for her.
* * * *
Tori had been stunned to find Prince Quinn making out with a woman in the hall for all to see, but she couldn’t say she was terribly surprised. His “girlfriend” didn’t seem as proud to be caught in public and Tori watched as the woman practically tripped to get away from them.
Tori took a calming breath, quietly assessing the prince. He was a handsome man with bright blue eyes that sparkled with unmistakable mischief. He was young too--much younger than any ambassador she’d ever seen. His body was slender yet unquestionably toned. Even motionless, she could tell he’d move with the liquid grace of his kind. There was something slow and seductive in the way the Var carried themselves--like hunters crouched, stalking their prey, ready to attack. They truly were like wild cats.
His shirt appeared to be one piece of material, with two narrow straps over the shoulders. The shirt was held together by black cross lacing beneath his arms, leaving his muscled sides and waist exposed. His pants were of the same material as the shirt, soft, yet molding to his firm, delicious body. A belt clung around his narrow waist. More lacing made its way down to his knees, over the outside length of his thighs, leaving no indention of firm muscle to the imagination, as it revealed tanned flesh. The muscles along his hip flexed erotically as he shifted his weight and a seductive dimple formed. She gripped the clipboard, itching to reach forward, to push into the laced opening of his pants to feel his taut flesh for herself.
Her eyes were drawn to his hips, moving along his narrow waist. Suddenly, they stopped. Between his thighs towered the most massive protrusion she’d ever seen on a man. Her mouth went dry. Her body instantly responded, tingling with warmth and desire. The ESC jumpsuit became strangely constricting on her flesh, causing her nipples to bud up from her breasts. She became hot, nearly sweating. Moisture pooled between her thighs, making ready for him. She was thankful she wore the white lab coat so that the violent reaction was hidden. Unaware of the act, she tugged the front of the coat closer together.
Tori had always been a sexually charged person, but she normally took care of matters herself. Her professional life didn’t leave too many openings for finding lovers. When isolated with the same people for months at a time, it often wasn’t wise to start an affair. Someone always ended up getting jealous, competition over her would ensue since she was often the only female, and fights would start. However, if she did have an affair, it was always with someone on her academic level and they were always, always discreet about it. A wave of disgust came over her as she thought of this savage making out for all to see--and he was a prince at that!
Shameful. Totally and utterly shameful.
His sudden movement caught her attention and she realized he stepped toward her. He lifted his hand, as if to touch her. Tori flinched and took a step back.
“Sir,” Tori stammered. “I mean, my ... ah?”
“Quinn,” he supplied with a rakish smile.
“Yes, my Quinn ... wait, no.” She took another step back as he moved aggressively forward. The look on his face made her heart flutter in excitement.
“Your Quinn?” he mused in a low tone that sent chills over her spine. “You wish for me to be your Quinn?”
“Stop!” she demanded holding out her hand. He paused in his quest to get to her and grinned, waiting. Tori swallowed, nervous and distracted. “Prince Quinn. I am Dr. Elliot with ESC ... well, actually the HIA, well, not really, technically with HIA or ESC except--”
Was she babbling? Tori was pretty sure she sounded like she was babbling. Scientists didn’t babble. It wasn’t appropriate. Her scowl deepened. Oh, why was he continuing to look at her like that?
“Well, Dr. Elliot not technically with the HIA or ESC,” Quinn said, lowering his jaw as he leaned forward. “I’m H-O-R-N-Y and you’re extremely pretty.”
“H-O...? Oh! Really!” Tori gasped, dismayed. She shook her head in disapproval.
“What? You’re really so surprised? Can you blame me, Dr. Elliot? You were staring quite intently at--” Quinn began to motion down, acting as if their conversation was an everyday topic.
Tori held up her hand and shook her head frantically to stop him. Taking a deep breath, she centered her thoughts and made a silent promise to never drink the night before a big assignment again. Surely that was why her heart was pounding so hard and why her limbs were shaking. Swallowing, she forced her voice to rigid calmness. “Is there someone I could talk to about gaining permission to search the cave systems that the biological weapons were discovered in? The HIA has requested that I clear the cave and surrounding area of any and all contamination threats.”
Someone other than you, she thought, not caring if he saw her distaste for his lewdness.
Quinn’s smile faded and to her surprise, he turned serious. “You think something else is up there?”
“I’m honestly not sure. The recovered weapon appears to be intact and contains enough chemical to wipe out at least five planets. From that bit of information, I would deduce there was only the one, unless the caves were being used as a storage unit of some kind, which, given the political climate of your kingdom, isn’t likely the case. From what I understand, your father was fighting a war with....”
Tori stopped, realizing that she might be speaking too candidly. That’s why she hated being in political situations. Facts were facts and she was used to stating them, regardless of their popularity. In her job, facts were all that mattered. In politics, a person was supposed to say things diplomatically, twisting the words into just the right phrase. It was a skill she lacked. She looked up at the prince. His face hadn’t changed. She swallowed nervously. He motioned his hand slightly for her to continue, not looking at all offended by her words.
Weakly, Tori said, “My checking would simply be a wise safety precaution for everyone concerned, especially your people. It won’t cost you a thing, if that’s your concern. HIA is taking care of my and the other scientists’ salaries.”
Quinn nodded, a motion she hoped was agreement.
“My team has nearly gotten through with the palace inhabitants and so far everyone has tested negative. I believe they’re about finished.” Tori looked at her clipboard and pretended to scan through the data. This man unnerved her. She couldn’t concentrate on what she was saying to him. Was she repeating herself? Was he even listening
? Did she tell him yet that they were about done testing the palace inhabitants? She thought it, but did she say it? Damn, he had the most brilliant blue eyes she’d ever seen in her life. Delicately clearing her throat, she said, “But, we’d still like to do a thorough scan of the caves. There is no point in us leaving anything behind.”
Quinn seemed to contemplate her words. Tori lowered her voice and stepped closer. He didn’t move, except for those blue eyes. They followed her, keeping fixed on her face.
Getting excited, Tori forgot her nervousness as she admitted in a secretive whisper, “There was also something else. I took the liberty of analyzing the strange dark mud on the biological weapon’s crate. I believe it’s from your marshes because I found some fresh moss that leads me to believe it wasn’t already on the crate when it was brought here. Anyway, there was an extremely high level of what appears to be DTH12 compound, which I’m sure isn’t indigenous to this particular planet, being as your swamp soil is classified as GR13H and not TDH14. What doesn’t make sense is that DTH12 is primarily found in the slime trail of northeastern yellow slugs on the planet of Fluk in the H... What? Are you laughing at me?”
Quinn was indeed chuckling. Shaking his head, he said, “Woman, I have no idea what you just said.”
Tori frowned. She should have known. Sarcastically, she drawled, “Your mud is neat and I’d like to look at it.”
Okay, maybe that was a tad too condescending. Quinn grimaced but didn’t appear overly offended. Lucky for her, because he might just be the man she had to impress.
Damn politics!
Noticing she’d drawn closer to him, she stepped back and regained a professional distance. Her face became hard and emotionless. “Who would I need to ask to get permission to set up camp within the marshes near the cave systems? I believe it is Var land and would first need whatever permits your kingdom requires before starting a scientific study of the geological features and surrounding wildlife, otherwise I’ll never be able to apply for later funding if I find anything worth studying. The way I look at it, I can do my research and clear the caves at the same time. I can personally guarantee that we won’t be a bother to anyone.”
The Playful Prince Page 2