“She is able to pull the truth out of people whether they want to tell it or not,” Olena said.
“Mother?” Jaxx came through the opening. He glanced in surprise at those gathered. “Shall we be off? Payton will be waiting for me, and we all know how much patience cat-shifter women have. Grier, I didn’t realize you’d be here. Are you coming with us to the drop-off? We will be glad for the help transport—”
Grier held up his glowing wrist and cut off Jaxx’s words.
Jaxx smiled, instantly turning to Salena. “I thought you said you didn’t want to marry? I suppose I should thank you for turning me down gently.” When no one laughed at his joke, he straightened his posture and crossed his arms over his chest. “What is it?”
“We should leave these two alone,” Yusef said. “Jaxx, go see to the shipment of food simulators and make sure they’re stashed safely before dawn. We don’t want this batch to be raided like that last one.”
Jaxx nodded and left. She heard him running away from the tent.
“I should go too,” Salena said.
“Please stay.” Grier moved closer but stopped before he reached her. “I give you my word no harm will come to you. Besides, it’s dark, and the forest is filled with people. There is nowhere for you to go tonight.
“He’s right,” Olena said. “Things have changed. The pirate ship is not an option right now. You need to stay here for the night.”
Salena glanced at the single bed in the room.
“I will sleep on the floor,” Grier offered.
Thankfully, her ability did not compel her to speak the truth, otherwise she’d have blurted out how disappointing she found that statement to be. Who wouldn’t want a sexy loinclothed lover in their bed?
“I can’t stay,” Salena said.
“You must,” Olena insisted. “We will figure out the new plan in the morning, whatever form it may take.”
“No one wants their elders hovering at such a time. Come, my love, back to the celebration, where I will serenade you. We can check on the children in the morning.” Yusef pulled his wife from the tent to leave them alone.
“Please, no more pirate songs.” Olena’s voice became smaller as they left. “Is that a hole in Jaxx’s tent?”
The emptier the tent became, the smaller the space felt. Now it was only the two of them embraced by an awkward silence. She felt him staring at her, and she pointedly looked everywhere but at him.
“Servants will bring food if you’re hungry,” Grier said after a while, “and it appears my cousin chose a tub for his tent, so there will be heated water for a bath.”
“It is too bad the servants have to work with such a celebration going on,” she said.
“Why is that bad? It is a job of honor, and they all volunteer to do it,” he answered. “I served a few years before I was of age to marry.”
“You did? A prince serving drinks and carrying bathwater?”
“Yes, as did my cousins and brothers. How else were we going to get a peek inside all these tents?” He chuckled. “When we were children, it all seemed so secretive and mystical.”
She found the glow from his wrist to be a distraction. “Does that shut off?”
“No.” He untied the leather strap from his wrist and carried the bracelet toward the bed. He slid it under a pillow. “But I can hide it, so the glow doesn’t bother you.”
“If you want to rejoin the celebration, I should be fine here,” she said, though she didn’t want to be alone. Ironically, the scare he gave her during the chase was what prompted her emotional need to talk to someone.
“I can’t leave until the morning.” Grier walked toward the table and took the goblet of wine. He looked at the contents before setting it back down without drinking. She studied his naked back, watching the muscles move hypnotically beneath the flesh. “I must apologize for my first impression. I cannot explain what came over me, other than to say I saw you and had to have you.”
Well there was a dose of honest if she ever heard it. This was one of those instances where her ability compelled too much of a confession. She knew she shouldn’t pry deeper, and still she couldn’t stop herself. What woman wouldn’t want to hear how the primitive sexy-man was attracted to her? “Does that happen often to you?”
“Never before tonight.” Grier didn’t turn to her, and she had plenty of time to let her eyes roam over the loincloth that showed teasing peeks of flesh. When he shifted his weight, the material lifted by the back of his upper thigh to expose the beginning curve of his ass.
Salena had never been more grateful that her ability couldn’t be turned around on her than she was in that moment. If she’d blurted what was going through her mind when she looked at him, she’d have to fling herself in a deep hole because she’d die of embarrassment. The loincloth shifted again as he moved, and her eyes darted upward to meet his before quickly turning toward the hole she’d cut in the side of the tent.
“You may look all you like,” Grier said.
“I wondered…” Salena swallowed nervously and began picking at a chip in her fingernail. “I mean, what’s the significance of the loincloth?”
“Tradition. It is all part of the ceremony.”
“Is that…?” She glanced toward his waist, and then at her finger with a renewed determination not to peek at his naked flesh. “Is it like…? Did your people traditionally wear loincloths as normal clothing for daily life?”
Not the most articulate of inquiries, but it’ll do, she thought.
“Not that I have heard. Some say it’s a symbol of exposure, no barriers,” he said. “You appear preoccupied with my loincloth.”
No, only what’s underneath it.
While we’re on the topic, I should ask him for a closer look. For anthropological reasons of course.
Shut up, stupid brain.
“Shut up—what did you call me?” His legs were spread shoulder-width apart, and he crossed his arms over his chest. For as unthreatened as she felt for the time being that didn’t mean his primal energy put her at ease.
Oh, blast of space fire, how much of that did I just mumble out loud?
“I was saying, my brain was stupid for asking dumb questions,” she explained, trying to cover up her muttering.
“You do not appear stupid to me.” He moved closer.
“So the…” She glanced around. “Masks.”
“What about them?” He kept distance between them but was close enough she could touch him if she reached out. It was tempting.
“Why do you wear them?”
“All men are equal in the search for happiness.” Grier’s gaze dipped over her, and he did not attempt to hide his sexual interest. Yellow glinted in his eyes, raw with emotion. “When our crystal glows, it tells us who the gods will for us. Then it is up to us to prove our worth. We have one night to do so. This night. We are not allowed to speak until our woman removes our mask and permits us to do so. It is a symbol of her acceptance, and proof that her decision is made freely.”
“Then what happens?” She was acutely aware of where the bed was behind her.
“There is exploring.” He grinned, coming closer. His jaw lowered, and she had the impression he wanted to kiss her.
“What kind of exploring?” And, evidently, she wanted to be kissed.
“Whatever we want, so long as we do not consummate the union until the bond is cemented before the elders.”
She stiffened. “You have sex in front of the elders?”
That was a line she wouldn’t cross.
He recoiled at the question. “Gods’ bones, no, woman!”
“But you said—”
“The couple declares their decision and they break the crystal. People cheer. Then they can have sex, but not in front of anyone. Usually they go spend a week in the privacy of their own homes.”
“You already broke a rule. You took off your own mask,” she said.
“As much as I tell myself I am going to behave in accordance
with tradition, I seem always to be messing up with the gods.” His expression didn’t change, and she didn’t know if he was joking. “I hope you can forgive me.”
He inched closer.
“That is not mine to forgive.” Her voice was not as strong as before. She met his gaze. If she leaned in and lifted on her toes, they’d be close enough to kiss. She glanced at his lips and felt drawn forward to be closer to him. She wondered if his beard would tickle or scratch.
“My prince, forgive us. We did not know you had returned to the tent.”
The sound of the intruder’s voice stopped her from doing something foolish. This was not the time for seduction. She pulled away from Grier, walking around to the other side of the bed to put distance between them.
The servant appeared young, no more than eighteen by human standards. His tunic was simple, a creamy white with blue stripes down the arms. The pants were baggy, and he wore shoes that cut off at the ankles.
“Come in, Ketill.” Grier gestured toward the table.
Ketill went to set down his tray of meats. Two similarly dressed boys appeared behind him. The second carried another tray of food, and the last, two pitchers and matching goblets. The second boy paused, looking openly at the mask on the ground and then at Salena. He gave her a small smile. The third ran into the smiling boy’s back, causing the liquid in his pitchers to splash over onto the tray. Slices of blue bread dropped onto the ground. It was almost comedic to watch them fumble around.
“My apologies,” one of them mumbled but she couldn’t see which one. Ketill went to pick up the bread, and they finally managed to arrange the food table…somewhat.
“You’re beautiful.” The second server watched her more than what he was doing at the food table. “Much prettier than some of the others who came tonight.”
“Timon, that will be all,” Grier said, his tone holding a small warning.
“I don’t know why I said that,” Timon answered.
“Because she is beautiful,” the third answered as he set the drink on the table. He kept his eyes averted.
“It seems you have admirers,” Grier stated. Gesturing to the boys, he said, “Ketill, Timon, and Alfarr.” Then gesturing at her, he said, “Lady Salena.”
“My lady,” the three boys said in unison, grinning excitedly as if they awaited her approval.
“Thank you for bringing food,” Salena answered. They kept smiling and staring. She wasn’t sure what they expected from her. “Are you enjoying the festivities?”
“I can’t wait until my ceremony. I had a dream once that I found a woman with your color of hair,” Timon said. “I think it was the gods saying they will bless me.”
“I think it was the Galaxy Playmate hologram you found.” Alfarr snickered.
“You’re not supposed to talk about that in front of a lady,” Ketill scolded. “She’s our future qu—”
“Out,” Grier ordered, the sound of his voice leaving no room for argument. “Now.”
Ketill and Timon rushed from the tent.
“But we are to bring you chocolate.” Alfarr stood holding the flap open. “The Lithorians delivered it late and the carvers are still chiseling off the bits to put on the trays.”
Grier glanced at her.
Salena shook her head. “I don’t eat chocolate. I never developed a taste for it.”
“No chocolate.” Grier motioned his hand in a decisive gesture.
The servant gave her one last look before leaving.
“I don’t know what came over them. They are usually well behaved,” Grier said.
“No need to apologize. I’m used to it,” Salena answered.
“I imagine you would be. They were right. You are beautiful. I’m not surprised that you have been told that often.” His tone dropped, becoming a little husky.
“That’s not what I meant.” Salena tried not to let the pleasure of his compliment show on her face. Rarely did conversations turn to how she looked.
“You should eat something. Come.” He moved toward the food and poured two goblets, leaving the Maiden’s Last Breath on the table. “This is strong, so I am going to have to insist you drink slowly.”
She took the goblet from him. His finger caressed her, and there was no denying the fire stoking between them. She saw it in the liquid swirling of his eyes, felt it in the heat of his skin. If they hadn’t been interrupted, who knows what they’d be doing now? Definitely not talking about the potency of liquor.
“That is sweet of you to be concerned.” Her tone dropped, and she found it hard to breathe. His finger fell away from hers, severing the connection.
Grier smirked. She heard him suppressing a laugh as he turned from her.
“Did I say something that amused you?”
“The last person to call me sweet was my grandmother when I was nine. I’m sure her opinion changed when she discovered the flowers I gave her were a distraction so that my cousins could sneak out of the mountain palace.”
“You really are a prince, aren’t you?” The title separated them, making whatever she felt an impossibility. There was nothing more visible on a planet than royalty. Everyone watched them, everyone spoke of them. That included everyone the royals were with. The man before her represented the kind of notice she did not want. Not only would the Federation eventually track her down, but the dragon people would also begin confessing their secrets to the royal family anytime they saw her with Grier.
She realized he hadn’t answered, at least not that she had heard.
“I think I need to go.” She set the goblet on the table, the contents untouched.
“You were not supposed to know who I was before you accepted me,” Grier said.
“And I haven’t accepted you. There will be other nights for you to try. I am sure the next bride will be—”
“There is no next bride. Tonight was my only chance.”
Blasted stars! No pressure there. Her thoughts came out sarcastic, and she had to remind herself that she was the alien on this planet, not him. She needed to respect his ways even if she couldn’t participate in them.
She picked up his mask and held it out to him. “Maybe if you go back, you can find someone else to bring to your tent.”
“Our ways do not work like that.” There was pain in his eyes as he looked at the mask as if that single gaze could set the material on fire as she held it.
“Please.” She arranged it in her hands and lifted it to tie around his face. He didn’t move to stop her. “Don’t make me responsible for your unhappiness. I don’t know you, and you know nothing of me. I cannot stay on this planet.”
She couldn’t manage to tie the mask and it dropped from her fingers to the floor.
When she would have stepped back, he grabbed her arm to stop her. The grip was firm but didn’t hurt. “What does the Federation want with you, really? Is it just because you compel the truth in interrogations? Or is there more? Whatever the reason, I can protect you. As my wife—”
“Protection is the last thing I would marry for,” she interrupted. “The universes use all of us in many ways. I refuse to enter a marriage based on usefulness and nothing else.”
“There is attraction.” He admitted it easily, taking a drink.
“You have known me less than an evening. I can see you are not a simpleminded man, so I know you understand that attraction fades.”
At that, his eyes narrowed slightly. “I do not understand that way of thinking. Marriage is for life, and there is nothing more attractive than a mate. That feeling should grow in time, not fade. I feel sorry for those cultures that rely on less sophisticated methods of finding a partner.”
She arched a brow and couldn’t help her sarcastic response to his superior tone. “You dress in a loincloth, get drunk, and pick a bride at random. How is that any more sophisticated than—?”
“The grooms are not drunk,” he broke in. “And I’ve told you, there is nothing random about the will of the gods.”
; His expression stayed neutral, but she felt the shift in his mood. She’d angered him.
“I should go,” she said.
“Where? It’s dark outside.”
“Maybe I can find a ship to take me off-world.” Her hands strayed to her skirt pocket as she felt the jewels. She started toward the tent flap.
Grier sighed heavily and sat on the bed. His voice stopped her. “I am cursed. I don’t know what the gods are trying to tell me. First, I think I am destined to be alone, then I discover you were there, only hiding in a cave by the tower, and now I find you and everything should be perfect but…”
She wasn’t entirely sure where he was going with this speech. “But it’s not perfect.”
“No. It’s not,” he agreed. “And whereas this should have been the simplest decision of my life, it has now become a complication. Tomorrow, I will be explaining this failure to my people instead of trying to determine if Shelter City had an influx of citizens because I was unable to watch the skies for landing ships.”
“If you have somewhere to be, I’ll cover for you,” she said.
“I need to be here.” He closed his eyes. “And I need to be there.”
“For what it’s worth, if you’re watching for ships landing at Shelter City, I don’t think you will find them. When they brought me here, we traveled by land craft for about a day and a half. I think we passed by a few people, but we did not go through any settlements, if that helps narrow down a location.” She pushed at the flap, wondering if he would command her not to leave. “Maybe that is why your gods wanted you to find me tonight, so I could tell you that you are going to look in the wrong place.”
8
It was his wedding night, supposedly the most blessed, happiest time, and he was…talking about Federation smuggling routes? And that was only after he’d chased his bride around like a beast after prey.
Grier silently berated himself. It was as if every romantic notion and daydream he’d had about being with his bride never existed. Instead of slow seduction and teasing brushes of flesh, he was inarticulate and argumentative. Instead of coaxing her onto the bed so he could worship her, he had chased her out the door. He literally had to be the worst groom in Draig history.
Dragon Prince Page 7