Celestial Mates Complete Series Box Set (Books 1-5) (Alien SciFi Romance)

by C. J. Scarlett

  His stepfather answered immediately. “Yes. Play it for us, Ambassador Teric.”

  Teric opened his com and a small three-dimensional image popped up. It was a beautiful female wearing a long flowing gown, revealing her bare arms and lots of cleavage. Her long dark hair fell all the way past her waist. The sound of her voice was lilting and thoroughly mesmerizing. Her body moved in sensuous rhythm to the music.

  Oracha immediately teased his stepbrother. “If she doesn’t warm to Rold, I call dibs on this one. I might even get the new human prince to teach me his rope tricks.”

  Everyone laughed but Rold, who gave him an uncharacteristically evil look. Clasping his stepbrother on the back, they made for the gardens to talk privately. Staying meant listening to the all the latest trivia of the empire and neither of them wanted that.

  Rold tried to be polite. “I think the human princess is sweet. You simply got off to a bad start with her.”

  “You will have to run interference with the brother. I cannot have him hovering around every minute.”

  “I will query his interest and try to keep him engaged.”

  “If your new female isn’t taking up all your time, you mean. You are one lucky slin.”

  “The singer seems bold. I do not know if such behavior will be to my liking.”

  “How could you even say that? She has everything a male could possibly wish for in a potential mate.”

  “It is unfortunate we cannot switch females.”

  Snorting a laugh, Oracha agreed. “It is bad luck that my name means monster in Princess Maiko’s tongue. There is not much I can do about such an unlucky coincidence.”

  “You mean besides grow seven more heads?”

  Laughing, he murmured. “You are the only thing making my life at court bearable. I hope you know our brotherhood matters to me.”

  “Such is fortunate, since the only other place I have to go happens to house our mother.”

  “How is she doing these days?”

  “Still a screaming mess. I don’t know how my father tolerates her.”

  “I believe he feels sorry for her.”

  “As do I.”

  Oracha sighed. “We all do, but we cannot allow her to steal away what little happiness we have in the verse.”

  “I agree. Still, I secretly grieve for all the females of our world. I do not know why the most delicate among us are the ones destined to bear the most suffering.”

  “Only the gods know such things, my brother. Do not dwell on such dark thoughts. Let us visit the hundred new brides and play.”

  “You go, my prince. I will hold myself pure, for my bride is near.”

  “Mine is closer, yet I chose to play.”

  “Go with my blessing. Enjoy your few remaining hours of freedom.”

  CHAPTER 4

  ~ MAIKO ~

  MAIKO MUSIC MIX SONG FOUR

  “What the hell is wrong with your brother, Maiko?”

  Looking up from her reading, she smiled at her longtime friend as she pulled her earbuds out. Disengaging the buds, the beautiful melody spilled out around them as they visited. “Do you want the short list or the three-volume annotated set?”

  Rose waddled into the room and several of her ladies assisted her onto a large cushion.

  “You look more pregnant in person than in the holo-vids.”

  “Don’t change the subject. I just had to explain shibari to the princess. The weird part was, I think she really liked the idea.”

  Maiko’s eyes enlarged. “You didn’t say such things to her imperial highness.”

  “Damned straight I did. Since she was so curious, I told her all about the shibari swings your brother is so famous for using with his lovers.”

  Sticking her fingers in her ears, she teased. “La, la, la. I can’t hear you.”

  When Rose laughed, she sighed. “My father is going to murderize us.”

  Several of the women in the room laughed, quickly covering their mouths with their hands.

  Rose sighed. “You’re being dramatic. Your father is pretty tightly wound but he wouldn’t resort to violence over the verse discovering his son’s a sexual deviant.”

  “Can we talk about something else?”

  “What did you think of the prince?”

  “He was a bit of an ass. I kind of freaked out about his name. It closely resembles a snake monster from our ancient myths.”

  “The Orochi? I have read the tale. I don’t suppose he knows you were almost eaten by a python as a child, does he?”

  “Thankfully, my brother spared me the embarrassment of mentioning that little fact.”

  “For someone so protected, you’ve had some bad experiences.”

  Maiko declared cheerfully, as she set her tiny tea cup aside. “They don’t call me the unlucky princess for nothin’.”

  “Your attempt at an American accent is a big fail, Maiko. Besides, all your bad luck is about to change.”

  “Yes. I am fortunate to be here, among friends again. Where is Jen? I had hoped to see her.”

  “She’s a clan mother now. Her boys don’t allow her out after dark.”

  “Sounds a bit crazy to me?”

  “Okay, that was a lie. She’s not doing quite as well as I am. Her pregnancy has really slowed her down.”

  Suddenly all kinds of worried, Maiko queried. “Is she all right?”

  “I promised her I would bring you to see her as soon as possible.”

  “Great! It’ll give me something to look forward to. What’s a clan mother, by the way?”

  “Her new husband was awarded clan status in appreciation for helping Teric establish the first bride treaty with Earth. He and his three brothers have been vetting new clan members for months. To be clanless here is a disgrace, so he’s had some pretty eager candidates. They have a large holt a few hours away by shuttle. It’s coming along nice.”

  “I read about clans on the voyage here. What’s a holt?”

  “A holt is kind of like a huge enclosed piece of property with a huge palatial homestead and multiple regular family houses. Since Chalon was awarded raw property, we are building it all from the ground up. All the planning and meeting with builders has kept us busy for months.”

  “It sounds fascinating. I’d love to see something like that being built.”

  “This will probably be your only chance. The emperor hasn’t established a new clan in almost a hundred years. It is a unique opportunity to be part of this project. Teric and I put off all other pursuits to help his bestie with the new holt.”

  Maiko felt excitement twisting in her gut. Itching to get out and explore the planet, she asked quickly. “Can we go see Jen tomorrow?”

  “I’m afraid not. The emperor’s brother is arriving tomorrow with a bride for Rold. They’ll expect all of us front and center for the extravaganza.”

  Suddenly, there was some whispering among the ladies in attendance. Prince Oracha’s name was mentioned.

  “You have got to be kidding me.” Rose sounded exasperated.

  Maiko turned around, catching the pitting expressions on the other women’s faces.

  “What’s going on?”

  One of the women spoke timidly. “Prince Oracha is sojourning in the harem with the women who came to be brides.”

  Maiko waved her hand nonchalantly. “Who cares; maybe he’ll find himself a bride and stay out of our hair.”

  “He’s not permitted to have a commoner as a bride.” Rose’s declaration had a note of finality about it.

  Maiko thought of all the time and trouble her family took to locate women of good character who wanted lasting relationships and families. Not only were none of them good enough for the prince to marry, but now he was trying to turn them into concubines. That simply wouldn’t do.

  Rising swiftly to her feet, she spoke firmly. “In which case, he shouldn’t be messing with our women. They came for husbands, not to be turned into whores by the imperial prince. Has he no shame?”


  “We should go and see what’s going on there.” A couple of women assisted Rose to her feet.

  Maiko headed for the door. Stepping through it was a call to action for her Japanese guards. Within seconds, Mamoru exited a nearby room. His questioning expression was all she needed to subtly express her outrage over the situation.

  “Did we bring concubines or brides with us to the Krylon home world?”

  “Don’t use an accusing tone with me, sister. You well know we brought brides.”

  “If so, why is the Krylon prince luxuriating in their quarters as we speak?”

  Without answering, Mamoru turned on his heel and strolled to the huge suite of rooms at the end of the hall. Thrusting the door open, he stalked into the center of the room. Maiko and Rose followed quietly behind.

  They discovered the prince reclining on a huge settee between two females. It took the young prince a moment to realize he was no longer the only male in the room. Catching a glimpse of the three frowning humans, he scooted forward and stood.

  “Can I help you? If you have lost your way in the vastness of our palace, I would be happy to…”

  Folding his arms over his chest, Mamoru spat a one-word warning at the Krylon prince. “Out!”

  “You forget yourself, Prince Mamoru. You are but a guest in my home.”

  Seeing things were about to spiral out of control, Maiko grabbed her sibling’s bicep. “There is no need for violence, brother.” Turning to the ladies in the room, she issued a gentle command. “Shun him.”

  Much to her satisfaction, every woman in the room turned her back on the Krylon prince. Irritation showed clearly on the male’s face as he stomped to the door. Maiko wondered if he was tired of getting put in his place by her. He annoyed her to be sure. She’d hoped to have a cordial relationship with the family hosting her visit and it looked like that plan was flying right out the window. Looking at her brother, she could tell they both thought the same thing.

  Rose caught their non-verbal communication and murmured grimly. “I will ask Jen if you can visit her clan for a few days. The prince will need a cooling-off period.”

  “If it is at all possible, I would like to leave directly following the ceremony tomorrow.”

  Rose nodded grimly. “I will see to it. Hang tough, Maiko.”

  CHAPTER 5

  ~ ORACHA ~

  MAIKO MUSIC MIX SONG FIVE

  “I cannot for the life of me imagine what you were thinking.” Ambassador Teric’s rebuke left him feeling small and foolish.

  His father chimed in exasperatedly. “To force yourself in amongst the brides without permission, is a treasonable offence. Those women were a gift from a foreign world to Krylon, not to you personally.”

  “Because they were a gift from your intended’s father makes the offense an insult to him as well as your prospective bride.” His father sank down into his throne. “I find your appalling lack of good judgment inexcusable. Perhaps you lack the basic intelligence to one day assume the leadership of our world.”

  Oracha sputtered, “I think you are overreacting.”

  “I agree, let us not be dramatic.” Rold strolled into the nearly empty throne room as if on cue, jumping to his defense once again.

  Ambassador Teric informed them grimly. “The imperial princess has requested sanctuary with the Clan of Chalon. They await only your blessing to grant her request.”

  “She’s walking out on me?” Ora could not believe she was just going to leave.

  His father jumped to his feet. “If you were not my own, I would suspect you of being inbred. Though the princess may not be aware she is your intended, her brother is most aware of the fact. The moment he found you amongst their women, it was assumed you were rejecting the princess in the most humiliating manner possible. That act coupled with your belligerent manner at dinner sealed your fate. Of course she is walking out on you.”

  Scrubbing his hands through his hair, he faltered. “I didn’t think… I don’t know what I was thinking.”

  “Where was Lord Rold when you were making an ass of yourself?”

  Looking at his half-brother with a newfound respect, Oracha whispered. “He was intent upon holding himself pure, for his bride was nearly here.”

  His father sat down again, looking old and tired. “What of following his lead? This was my command, was it not?”

  The prince turned to his brother. “I deserve what I get from the alien princess but I apologize for spoiling your special day. What should have been a day of great rejoicing has now been marred by my ignorance.”

  Rold reached out, grasping his shoulder. “Do not let your grief swallow you whole. We are in this together. I will not wed ahead of you.”

  Smiling slightly, Oracha rebuked. “Is that your way of forcing me into line?”

  “Perhaps. Is it working?”

  The emperor shook his head. “You two are going to be the death of me. Teric, outside of Prince Oracha inheriting the throne, what exactly are my options?”

  “You are removing me from the line of succession?” He simply couldn’t believe his father would do such a thing.

  “I am sorry, my son. You are removing yourself. A dying world can no longer afford an heir apparent guilty of consistently prioritizing his own selfish pursuits above the needs of his people. At first, your behavior was seen as capricious and expected because of your youth. It has been ten solar years since you came of age. Such behavior no longer becomes you, my son. I must now look to the needs of our people, lest I be guilty of the same selfishness that has tarnished your character.”

  Fighting back the fury and the tears, Oracha removed the imperial pendent from around his neck and laid it on the empty throne at his father’s side. Too emotional to speak, he walked outside for a breath of fresh air. The tightness in his chest only worsened when he saw the human prince and princess moving towards the landing site. Realization hit him fast and hard; he no longer even possessed the status to approach the human princess. Being stripped of his birthright was only a step away from being clanless.

  Suddenly, a devious thought occurred to him. If his father thought to rip away his birthright, then he would use it as an opportunity to reinvent himself. Since he wasn’t forced to cleave to the throne, he now had a certain measure of freedom. The new clan leader caught his eye and Oracha made a bee line to speak to the man.

  Chalon’s eyes grew large when Oracha approached without his princely display of status. The newly misbegotten prince approached the issue head on.

  “Lord Chalon, I request an audience.”

  “At the time and place of your choosing, Oracha.”

  “Now, if it pleases my lordship. As you can see, the imperial father has finally tired of my wanton ways and I am in need of a new occupation. I am told you are accepting requests for inclusion in your clan. Though I lack the gravis to sit on the throne, I am most proficient with weapons and loyal to a fault. I would make a good protector and advisor to your house. What say you, my lord?”

  “I say, you yet have a clan. Why would you forsake it to join mine?”

  “What male would stand around while all the trappings of success are stripped from his grasp? I ask only the opportunity to make my own way in the verse.”

  “It will be as you wish, Lord Oracha. The Clan of Chalon welcomes you. Please fall into line.”

  Grateful he was wearing full armor and his sword for the ceremony, he stepped into line alongside Chalon’s brothers, nodding a cordial unspoken greeting. He received a swift jerk of their collective chins in return. It felt accepting but he knew he would still be expected to prove his worth.

  When the Krylon imperial entourage emerged from the palace, his father’s eyes scanned the crowd. Spying him among the house of Chalon, his eyes narrowed dangerously. At least there would be no need for the human princess to leave the imperial palace now. She could rest easy, knowing his foolish self was far away.

  Oracha’s heart burned in his chest as he watched his stepbrot
her accept his human bride. She was beautiful, talented, and fawning towards him. In fact, she was all that a male might wish for in a bride.

  Standing apart from the imperial house already ate at him, but there was nothing for it. He’d messed up and now they would be forever separated by class and distance. This fact alone pushed stronger emotions through him than he could bear out in the open for everyone to see. Closing his eyes for a moment, he cleared his mind and clamped down on his feelings. The blank expression of a warrior slid into place.

  He opened his eyes to see Lord Chalon’s pregnant female looking curiously at him. He’d met her before. Lady Jenifer was outspoken and amusing. However, today she did not look well. He reached for her, whispering worriedly. “Are you well, my lady?”

  She clutched his hand, pulling him forward. He noticed the other hand was clutching her lord.

  He glanced up at Chalon. “She should not be out in the open like this. She is not well, my lord.”

  “She insisted, and I stupidly allowed it.”

  “Do not worry. I will carry her to the palace. She can rest there.”

  “I hate to walk out in the middle of the ceremony, but my mate must come before all other considerations.”

  Oracha bent, picking her slight form up into his arms. Chalon ordered quietly. “Take her to our shuttle. It is closer and I have a medic waiting.”

  Following closely behind his new lord, Oracha carried the little human. As soon as he laid her onto a settee, he brought his communications device to his lips. Whispering into it for a few breathless minutes, he turned to Chalon.

  “I have spoken with Korban. He has a Shardon medical team on his ship. Their medical technologies are extremely advanced. His is dispatching them to our shuttle. If you will permit them to examine your bride, they may be able to help in ways our healers cannot.”

  “I would be grateful for any assistance they can give.” The man’s face contorted with emotion. “I cannot lose her, my prince.”

  Ignoring his new lord for slipping back to calling him prince, Ora kneeled beside him. They both regarded the small female with no small amount of worry.