by Milly Taiden
A light blinked above the armoire and she put the clothes down. Curious, she moved toward the sleek door and pulled it open. “Holy shit!”
The standalone closet was filled with clothes and everything her size and style. She looked up at the ceiling, her eyes narrowed. “Okay, big brother, you are seriously starting to creep me out. I appreciate the instant shopping spree, but enough. I drew the line at the vajay-jay cream. No more unless I ask first, okay?”
The walls changed to a soft white and the light around the armoire glowed pale pink. Ivy nodded. “Apology accepted.” She dug through the closet and chose a bohemian empire waist maxi dress. Its azure print was a mix of predatory animals in a faded wash. Understated, but still primal. It felt right for some reason. Vee was predatory and sleek and utterly sexy, and the moment Ivy slipped the dress over her head, it fit. Her body and her mood. If he was predator then she was ready to be his prey.
Running a brush through her hair, she dabbed on a little makeup and grabbed Vee’s map. She took a pair of high-heeled wedges from the armoire and headed for the door. The last thing she wanted was to be late and not be admitted into the royal wing.
14
“Where do you think you’re going?” Maddox stepped from the shadows and startled her as she rounded the corner heading to the royal gate.
“Maddox! You scared the crap out of me! What do you do, hang around like a spider in a web?” Ivy stopped short, nearly rolling an ankle in her heels.
“What I do is none of your affair, young woman. This is the royal wing. You do not belong here, so I suggest you take your explorations elsewhere.”
Ivy lifted her chin. “I have an appointment, so why don’t you take your explorations elsewhere, like to another solar system.”
“Human, I don’t know what passes for gentility on Earth, but here we do not insult our hosts. You are a guest of this castle, and I am its Lord Chamberlain. You might do well to remember that.”
“What’s going on here?” The door to the Royal Gardens opened and Vee stepped out. “I heard angry voices.”
Before Maddox could say a word, Ivy pushed past the little man. And measuring by Vee’s standard, he was little. In physical appearance and character. “I was just coming to see you, when this person barred my way.”
Maddox’s eyes widened at her impudence in front of the king, and his lips pressed in a thin line. “I’m sorry, your—”
Vander cut him off before he could out him in front of Ivy. “It’s fine, Maddox. No real harm done. Ivy is a friend and is welcome whenever I’m here. Understood?” He dropped his chin and eyed the Lord Chamberlain, his unspoken message clear.
Inclining his head, the older man glared at Ivy, and exchanged a glance between her and Vander. “As you wish.” Without another word, he turned on his heel and left.
Ivy watched Maddox round the corner before shifting her gaze to Vander. “That dude is seriously creepy, Vee. I swear there’s something sly about him. I can’t put my finger on it, but I know I’m right. Cassie tells me all the time I’m part psychic because my intuition is almost never wrong.”
He slipped an arm around her shoulder and pulled her into a side hug. “Almost isn’t always, and Maddox is practically part of the furniture here. He was my—uhm—I mean, he was the old king’s Lord Chamberlain, as well, and the new king trusts him completely.”
She looked at him, studying his face. “My intuition might be almost never wrong, but right now my gut is pinging me big time. I get the feeling you’re not telling me something.”
He tipped her chin up for a kiss. “For now, everything you need to know is in that kiss.” He tugged her toward the door. “C’mon. I want to show you everything.”
Following him into the garden, she was immediately hit by the beauty of the place. Towering palms swayed in the breeze and lush grass spread in a lazy path around a pristine pool fed by a waterfall stream. A harem style tent was situated toward the back, its interior set with low tables and plush pillows and a spread of fresh fruit and candied dates, nuts, and wine.
“This place is unbelievable! Like something described by Shahrazad,” Ivy said, taking in everything.
“Who is Shahrazad?”
“She’s both a character and the storyteller in a book called One Thousand and One Nights. It’s a classic. Haven’t you ever heard the tales of Aladdin or Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves?”
Vander shook his head, leading her toward a clear pool below a cluster of palm trees. “I haven’t, but I would love for you to read it to me. A thousand and one nights with you sounds just about perfect.”
She laughed. “Just about? Why, what’s missing?”
Grinning, he bent to slip her sandals from her feet. “Not nearly enough time with you, plus, if you’re reading, then you aren’t kissing me.” He scooped her into his arms and carried her to the edge of the water, toeing off his boots. “Galaxan folklore says if you bathe in a blessed pool before making love, the waters show you your true mate.” He waded into the water and stood thigh deep, letting Ivy slide down his hard length to the water.
“Really. And what does it say about people who bathe after they’ve popped their relationship cherry?”
He looked at her, bemused. “I’m sorry, what?”
“Forget it. It’s a stupid human saying. Popping your cherry means losing your virginity. I was talking about people who did the nasty before asking for a blessing.”
Vander had to laugh. “I doubt I’ll ever get used to Earth slang, but I can guess what you mean.” He leaned in and ran a tongue over the seam of her lips. “It doesn’t matter. The truth will show.”
In that moment, the water swirled in gentle eddies around her breasts and the soft fabric of Ivy’s dress clung to her every curve and hollow. She looked down at the way her nipples popped through the cold wet fabric and grumbled. “Yeah, well. I think my truth is already showing.”
He grinned. “Come, I’ll warm you.”
She waded closer and put her arms around his neck. Gathering up her up again, he strode through the water to place her on a rocky outcrop under a palm at the edge of the bank. The sun had warmed the stones and the heat from the stone against the cool water was amazing, but even more so was watching Vander swim. His shoulder muscles coiled and released with each stroke and when he walked toward her, she lost her breath. Hair slicked and curling below his collar, his wet shirt clung to the muscular planes of his chest and torso. He peeled the garment from his shoulders and tossed it to the sandy bank.
“Are you going to walk around shirtless and wet all afternoon?” She grinned. “Not that I’m complaining.”
He stepped between her legs and circled her waist with his arms. “Only if you walk around shirtless and wet with me.”
Ivy laughed. “I don’t think we’d get farther than that tent over there.”
He glanced toward the desert tent and grinned. “What a good idea.” Without warning, he tossed her over his shoulder and climbed out of the water. There wasn’t a soul around, and he deposited her on a pile of soft pillows, plopping down beside her.
“Vee, are you nuts? This has got to be the king’s private tent! Not only are we invading his space, but we’re ruining his pillows. They’re soaked thanks to my wet ass.”
He reached over and pulled her over to straddle his hips. “I like it when your ass is wet. Makes things easier for me.”
Her eyes went wide at his nerve. “Vee! I’m serious. I’m not cool with getting sent back to Gerri in disgrace or with you getting fired.”
“Fired?”
She exhaled hard. “Lose your current position.”
He grinned, pressing the hard bar of his stiffening cock between her spanned legs. “I like my current position.”
“VEE!” she squealed when he flipped her onto her back.
“Stop worrying. No one is going to bother us. I promise.”
Someone cleared their throat and both she and Vander jerked their attention to the opening at the
front of the tent.
“I’m sorry to interrupt, Your Majesty, but Prince Jag sent a messenger. He just arrived and says it’s urgent.”
Ivy scrambled out from underneath his weight. “Your Majesty?” She blinked and then her eyes went wide. “Your friends call you Vee, huh…as in Vandar? Vander Kasaval? King of Galaxa?” She shook her head, getting to her feet.
“Ivy, please. You have to understand. I wanted you to know me for me. Please…let me explain.”
She stared at Vander, sparing a glance for his nervous steward still waiting for the king’s reply. Snorting, she gestured to the man. “Go see what this prince has to say. Gerri’s expecting me back and I need time to think. I don’t want to be late. We’re supposed to have an audience with the—” She pressed her lips together. “With you, later.”
“No. I’d rather we talk now. Alone. While we’re still us.”
“Us,” she sputtered. “What us? I was getting to know a cool guy named Vee, not some king pretending to be someone else.”
“Ivy. Please. Wait.” He paused. “I can always have my guards stop you from leaving the garden, but I’d rather you stay because you want to hear what I have to say.”
“You jerk! I can’t believe you just threatened me with house arrest! I found out you’re king—what? Ten seconds ago? And—” At the smirk tugging at his face, she huffed, exasperated. “Vander! This is not funny!” Picking up a wet pillow, she lobbed it his head.
“Hey! Assault on the king is a subversive offense,” he grinned.
“Subversive? You want rebellion, I’ll show you rebellion.” She plopped into one of the beanbag-like chairs and crossed her arms. “Fine. Go have your pow-wow with the prince. I’ll sit here wet and waiting for you to come back.”
He straightened from his pillows to lean over hers, caging her in with his arms. “Considering I like you wet and waiting, I’ll take it.” He kissed her hard and fast and then left with his steward. “I’ll send someone with dry clothes. We’ll save the wet play for later.” He winked, and at the look on the steward’s face, she felt a blush crawl up her cheeks.
15
“Ivy?” an older woman asked as she stood at the entrance to the tent.
Ivy looked up from one of the books the steward brought her to pass the time. “Hi,” she replied, immediately curious. By the way she was dressed, this was no servant.
The woman slipped past the ornate tent flaps and walked toward her. She was grace in motion. The older woman was stunning. Tall and statuesque like Henley, with gorgeous silver hair that spilled in waves past her shoulders. “I’ve brought you some dry clothes.” She smiled, handing Ivy the bundle in her arms. “I’m Karis, but Vander and his brother Jag call me Kari.”
Ivy took the parcel and nodded. “Thank you, I appreciate it. This wet dress is a little uncomfortable.” She unwrapped the bundle and held up a stunning sheath dress. “This is beautiful, Karis. Thank you.”
The woman shook her head. “Don’t thank me. Vander picked it for you. And please, call me Kari.” She touched a finger to her chin as if studying Ivy. “He was right, of course. That color is a good one with your skin and hair, if I do say so myself.”
Ivy stood from the pillows and let the dress drape her body. A rich gradient of blood orange and yellow, the fabric was unlike anything she’d ever felt. Like a cross between the finest silk and soft cotton.
“It’s perfect, thank you, and I love that it’s ankle length. My legs are not my best feature.”
Kari chuckled. “Oh, sweetheart. You will learn very quickly that Galaxan men love a woman with curves, especially the Kasaval men. Trust me. I know.”
Ivy’s mouth opened, but then she snapped it shut. She had already insulted the king to his face and she knew the man only cut her slack because they were bumping uglies, but if this woman was who she suspected, he wouldn’t be so forgiving if she was less than gracious.
“It’s okay, love. You can ask.” Kari gestured for her to sit. “Your instincts are correct. I was Vander’s father’s mistress and helped raise both princes until their father passed. They are as dear to me as if they were my own flesh and blood.”
The two women sat in the only chairs in the tent. Curved wooden seats with even softer pillows than those on the floor.
“I mean no disrespect, Kari.”
The older woman nodded. “I know. Just like I know my boy is falling head over heels for you.” She held up her hand when Ivy opened her mouth to argue. “Listen to me, sweetheart. Vander is the King of Galaxa, and with that comes many responsibilities, but he’s a man, as well. A good man with a generous heart. Do you know how many women our council has paraded in front of him over the past months? Hundreds. From at least ten planets throughout our galaxy. It was me who asked Ms. Wilder for help, and she brought you. I knew the moment Vander saw you, his xenos would know. You are the one.”
Ivy put down the orange she peeled and stared at the woman openly. “Wait…are you telling me you think Gerri brought me here specifically as a hook up with Vander?” She shook her head. “I think someone is telling tales, Kari. I came to Galaxa for one week. My cousin is mated to one of the alphas from Nova Aurora and is about to have a baby any day. I have no plans to stay here long term, let alone be anything more than a part-time playmate for Vander. I’m certainly not The One.” She crooked her fingers into quotes.
Kari considered her. “Vander was a little boy when his mother died. After I moved into the royal apartments, he would crawl into my bed at night, scared and confused. I would tell him tales about his father and how he was a just ruler, kind and brave. I would comfort him with stories about his mother and how she’d won his father’s heart and ruled by his side, but that the proudest moments of her life were when she brought him and his brother into this world. He asked me then if he would be as good a king as his father, and of course, I told him yes.” She smiled. “Do you know what he asked me then?”
Ivy shook her head.
Karis took her hand and held it. “He said, ‘Kari, how will I be a good king like my father if I cannot find the right girl to be my queen?’”
Ivy didn’t say a word, but Kari nodded. “It’s you, Ivy. How I know, and how Vander will also, if he doesn’t already, is his xenos will tell him. It’s been rising for months telling everyone it’s time for him to take a mate. With the problems Galaxa has been suffering this past year, it can’t be soon enough.”
Ivy got up to pace. “His xenos? What is that? Some kind of expiration date on his kingship?”
With a frown, Karis watched the young woman grapple with herself. “Your sarcasm is just a defense mechanism, my dear. I know you’ve felt his xenos. I can smell it on you. This is a shifter planet, love. Or did you forget that? Vander’s xenos is the animal that lives deep within him. Unlike the rest of the men and women here, the men of House Kasaval do not know their dual nature as they step into adulthood.”
“Adulthood? Do you mean puberty?” Ivy asked.
Kari nodded. “Everyone else knows their mirror animal from the time they are very young. We all have one. It’s why our mountains are called the Mirror Mountains. They reflect our world. Our people. Our dual natures. When a warrior mates, their female sets their animal free. It is the same for everyone, except our rulers. They have to wait for their xenos to be revealed, and the only way that happens is when they find their true mate.”
Ivy sat again, flustered. “And how does this xenos let the Kasaval men know? I mean, that’s got to be frustrating.”
Kari nodded again. “It is. Vander has all the signs. His eyes glow from time to time, but the xenos makes its presence known most when he’s with his intended mate. It shows in his eyes. A glow unlike any other, and I know the xenos is awakening in him. Only his true mate could call it to the surface, and yes…you are the one.”
“Where does this come from? I mean is this xenos dangerous?” she asked.
Kari inhaled and lifted one shoulder, letting it drop. “No one knows
the origins, but Vander would not be as kind as he is if his xenos was otherwise. That’s not to say that savagery isn’t possible. Quite the opposite. His father’s xenos was a great bear, an Ursa, like in the constellation from your galaxy.”
She lifted her head. “You mean Ursa Major? In the Milky Way?”
“Yes, exactly.” She eyed Ivy. “What Vander needs is a woman who can free his xenos from its inner captivity. The woman he takes for his mate must be strong enough to tame the animal within and share its wild nature.”
Ivy lifted both hands in front of her and the defensive move wasn’t a show. “Tame the animal? Share its wild nature? I appreciate your dilemma, Kari, but I am not your girl.”
She smiled knowingly. “You are, my dear. You just don’t know it yet. But you will. The xenos will give you a sign, and then there will be no question.” Her grin turned sly and she cocked her head. “So, have you visited the second floor of your apartment yet?”
Ivy coughed, chewing on a piece of orange. “Uhm, no.”
“Vander’s never been there, either.” Karis poured two cups of sweet syrupy tea and handed one to Ivy. “It might be a good place to start, to see if I’m right or wrong about you.” She winked. “Now, change your clothes. He’ll be back shortly and you two have a lot to discuss.”
16
“Are you saying they found the outpost but no one was there?” Vander asked, pacing behind his desk.
The messenger nodded. “Based on the way the encampment was left, it was clear the kidnappers left in a hurry. The trackers believe the prince and General Iceri were only hours behind them before they broke camp.”
“Were any women found?”
He shook his head. “But there were signs of them and—” he hesitated.