The male kneeled awkwardly in the traditional salute of a military officer. “I am called Trajon, my prince. I request acceptance into the House of Chalon, if it pleases you.”
“My neck is as clear of imperial insignia as yours today, Trajon. You may call me sir. Please name the offense that made you clanless.”
“I did not guard my eyes around a lady, my lord. I have learned my lesson. It is not a mistake I will ever make again.”
“There must be more to your story than such.”
“Our clan mother is the consort of my third nephew. She was upset upon the miscarriage of her firstborn. She reported to her new mate that I stared at her and demanded he exile me.”
This was a prime example of how males suffered the whimsy of the females in their society. A newly mated couple was typically under a lot pressure to breed. The loss of a firstborn wasn’t unusual among their people but would be a devastating setback for a young couple. In her grief, the young female most likely took out her anger on the first male she saw. Her own mate may have been afraid of her leaving, which is a common practice among their kind. Instead of protecting an older clan member, he acquiesced to her demands.
“Is this the reason you would not look at the human female earlier?”
“I have no wish to live out my few remaining solars sleeping on the ground, sir.”
“Complete your paperwork. I will call your clan leader. If your story checks out, I deem you appropriate for the House of Chalon.”
“You have my gratitude, sir.”
“I wish you to know that I wouldn’t have thrown you to the slin that way. The Earth females are nothing like ours. They seem open and honest. I doubt shunning them will make you very popular around here.”
Glancing up at him for the first time, the older man nodded his understanding.
“Go with my blessing. Allow the females to feed you. Get yourself a warm bath and we will assign you a bunk in the warrior’s quarters.”
“Yes, sir. Again, you have my thanks.”
Oracha powered through the rest of his interviews. A quick conversation at the end of the day with Trajon’s former clan leader left him feeling dejected. The man had served with distinction and even caught a few laser burns protecting the family over the years. When push came to shove, one angry accusation was all it took for his whole life to be snatched out from under him.
Tossing his tablet onto the desk, he leaned back in his floating seat. Tapping his foot against the floor, he bobbed peaceably, hoping he would fare better in his old age.
A soft feminine voice called out to him, calling him to dinner. It was a member of the princess’ entourage. Opening his eyes, he noted her lovely lithe body seemed swallowed by the beautiful long red gown she wore. Normally, he would have run over to speak with such a female. Today, she didn’t interest him.
Closing his eyes, an image rose in his mind of a sweet smiling face with glasses sliding down her pretty little nose. The princess was common in her speech. She joked and laughed constantly, as she picked her way through volume after volume of ancient texts. He found it impossible to imagine what she found so fascinating about Krylon history.
Suddenly, a voice cut through his thoughts. “It is considered polite to answer when someone calls to you. I know you weren’t raised by wild animals, so what gives?”
Sitting up with a wide smile, he answered the pretty princess. “Since when do imperial princesses get assigned the job of corralling straggling warriors?”
“Since my assistant reported that you ignored her invitation and no one is comfortable eating while their prince sits out here starving. They also say you haven’t eaten today.”
“I’m no one’s prince anymore.” Leaning back with his hands behind his head, he smirked. “Besides, I’ve decided to go on a hunger strike. From now on, I refuse to eat unless a pretty princess feeds me by hand.”
Pushing her glasses back on her face, she smiled brightly. “Great. We have a member of the Tardazian first family running around here somewhere. I’m certain she’d be more than happy to feed you. They’re one of the few species of squid which don’t leave behind a slime trail when they touch you.”
Standing, he shook his head dramatically. “If the task fell to you, I have no doubt you would let me starve.”
Shrugging nonchalantly, she added. “You are the one who stipulated the princess feeding you had to be pretty.”
Taking a step closer, he modified his request. “If I upgrade the requirement to beautiful, will you consider tossing a crumb my way?”
Turning on her heel, she teased. “Come right away and I’ll pelt you with food from across the table, but that’s the best deal you’re getting from me this evening.”
Smiling deviously, he trailed after her. “I’ll hold you to such a deal, devious one.”
Embarrassingly enough, he discovered everyone was indeed waiting for him to eat.
“Please do not wait on me again.”
“It will be as you say, my prince.”
Sitting, he grumbled. “I’m no longer in line for succession.”
Lord Chalon pointed out diplomatically. “Until you are officially removed, all normal protocols must stay in place. I’ll not risk my clanship on a technicality.”
Before he could open his mouth to protest, a small round of bread hit him in the forehead. Everyone turned to look at the imperial princess in shock.
Lady Jennifer asked pointedly. “Did you just try to start a food fight in my dining hall? I think we’re a bit old for such childishness.”
Opening his mouth, he pointed to the opening. “Try again. I am paying attention this time, my princess.”
Choosing a tiny vegetable, she attempted to hit his open mouth. Moving slightly, he caught it, quickly gobbling it up.
The princess laughed at his antics, explaining. “Our half-begotten prince is officially on a food strike.”
He joked right along with her, their youthful lightheartedness winning out over proper decorum. “I’m not eating anything that doesn’t come from the hand of a beautiful princess.”
Mamoru announced sternly. “I think you are each as ridiculous as the other. In honor of your stupidity, I forbid my sister to eat except at the hand of a prince.” Turning his attention to the small princess, he continued. “Go and sit with him. Feed each other or starve.”
His craven emphasis on the last word was a bit much for Oracha. He immediately tried to mitigate the little mini-disaster he’d inadvertently created. “Do not fault the princess for this disgraceful display. It is entirely my fault. Do not embarrass her further.”
Standing, Maiko walked around the end of the table and sat right beside him. “Forget about it. If Mamoru wants to show off, we’ll feed each other. I don’t have a problem with his demand.”
Looking at her, he shook his head. “Why does everyone have to be so uptight?”
“We’re imperial. That means we really aren’t people. We’re little more than stereotypes. Any time we try to step out of the box, we get smacked right back into place.”
The little human gave the appearance of one fighting back a torrent of tears. Oracha picked up his plate, wrapped one arm around her, and took her out to sit in the gardens to eat. No one dared to object. Even though they weren’t quite alone; her guards followed and servers scrambled to set up a table for them, it still felt more intimate.
“You’re right about people having little tolerance for us not acting imperial. I can see why you’d rather mate a commoner.”
“Don’t you ever long to break free from it all?”
“I wish it all the time. Wishing is different from having the courage to make it happen.”
Shoving her glasses back, she sighed. “You’ve nearly broken free by getting yourself removed from succession.”
“I’m not happy about that particular turn of events.”
“Why not?”
“My relatives are a bunch of fools. I fear for my world with them in con
trol.”
“If this is true, you should go back.”
“I believe trying to run from my imperial duties has finally caught up with me. Going back is no longer an option for me. I hope you don’t make the same mistake.”
“You must be joking. I’m the expendable member of my imperial family.”
Picking up a piece of fruit, he brought it to her lips. “Eat, princess.”
She took a gigantic bite, nipping at his fingers.
He made a dramatic display of pulling his hand away, making her laugh.
“Your world was nearly destroyed while you were on it and you have known such personal trauma in your life, yet you laugh so easily.”
“My life has been difficult but I’ve learned to enjoy the control allotted to me. Besides, I’ve always had my family at my side. Mamoru may seem like an ass but I think he merely wanted to push us together.”
“Because we’re supposed to fall in love.”
Tilting her head sideways, her expression seemed slightly perplexed. “You say that like a declaration rather than question.”
Holding up another piece of fruit, he repeated himself. “We are supposed to fall in love.”
Instead of eating, she frowned. “Who the hell decided that?”
“Our fathers, I think.”
He could see the shock tearing through her small body. She was practically vibrating with fury. “How could you possibly know?”
Avoiding her angry gaze, he murmured. “Come on, princess. At least eat while we argue.”
“You knew? No wonder you were so belligerent when I first came. You should have told me. We could have been belligerent together.”
Sighing, he put down the food and dusted his hands together. “I think I might have been upset you were paying more attention to my brother than me. Everyone always likes him better.”
Smiling, she grabbed a piece of bread and brought it to his lips. “He’s less smirkey.”
Smirking, he took a bite of the bread. “You don’t say.”
“You know, a smirking guy named after a monster takes some getting used to.”
Reaching out, he placed a hand on her waist. “How used to me do you have to be before I get a kiss?”
Shrugging adorably, she quipped. “I can call one of my assistants to kiss you right now. They all think you’re the bee’s knees.”
Moving his head around to capture more food from her hand, he murmured. “Is a bee’s knee good?”
Nodding, she continued to feed him.
Nibbling food from her delicate hand, he whispered. “I think I’ll hold out for a kiss from a real princess. Doesn’t your lore say I have a good chance of changing into a handsome prince if you kiss me?”
Sighing, she pulled back from his grasp. “I might have believed you were interested in me if I hadn’t caught you in the harem. Now, I think you want to mate your princess so your father will give you the keys to the kingdom again.”
“You act like those things are mutually exclusive. Can’t I honestly want you and the kingdom?”
Standing, she stated woodenly, “It’s the difference between possible and probable. You wanting someone like me falls in the category of highly unlikely.”
“Don’t go. Stay with me a little while longer. You haven’t eaten.”
“I have no intention of getting attached to someone like you.”
“Like me?”
“An imperial prince, a womanizer, a liar, a prankster… take your pick.”
“I have never lied to you. I’d give up being a womanizer for the right woman.”
“Then I hope you find her. Now, if you will excuse me.”
Along with the diminutive princess went all the other people as well, leaving him sitting alone. Shoving the plate back, he decided his joking ways had cost him something special today.
CHAPTER 8
~ MAIKO ~
MAIKO MUSIC MIX SONG EIGHT
“I don’t care what you say, Rose. She ain’t wrong, that’s all I’m saying.”
“No one in their right mind would deny Oracha is a bit of a player. My whole point is, every man plays around until he finds the right lady.”
“Ours didn’t.”
“They would have if they’d had bodacious amounts of booty lined up, clawing to get into their beds.” Rose looked strange standing with her hands wrapped primly on top of her huge belly, debating the fact men were pigs.
Maiko sighed. “Look, we all three know if I weren’t an imperial person of interest, I’d die a crazy old cat lady. I’m plain, mousy, and uninteresting. Pretending the prince could be seriously interested in someone like me is pure fantasy.”
Rose frowned. “You’re super cute, any fool could see that. You’re also smart, fun to be around, and a real force of nature sometimes. I don’t know why your dumb-ass prince crawled into the harem, but it had nothing to do with you.”
Tired of rehashing the same tired argument, she turned to them. “We’re wasting what precious little time we have together, debating something that will never be. Can’t we go garon back riding or something fun?”
Both women held out their hands, displaying their rounded bellies.
Shoving back her glasses, Maiko quipped. “Sorry, guess I didn’t think it through properly.”
Jen suddenly brightened up. “Hey, remember when we were on Earth. All we talked about was going to the beach. Let’s do that.”
Maiko immediately dug through one of her trunks for her swimsuit. Pulling it out, she held it up proudly. “Think I can still fit into this? I haven’t worn it since I was sixteen.”
The other two women busted out laughing.
Maiko could see their point. She was the exact same size as she had been at sixteen. Maybe she was a little chestier now, but not much. Sprinting off to the cleansing room, she pulled the neat streamline one piece onto her body. Thrilled that it still fit, Maiko strutted out to the main room, ready for inspection. Taking an exaggerated bow as her friends fake clapped, Maiko found she enjoyed her undignified fun for once.
As the twin suns crested high in the noon sky, they sat on hover boards with their beach gear as the warriors pulled them out to the coastline.
Maiko covered her eyes, peering into the distance. There was nothing but miles and miles of pristine coastline with not another person in sight. Rather than seagulls, there were hundreds of tiny dragons. They were hatchlings, small enough to fit in the palm of her hand. They lilted strangely in the air, making Maiko wonder if they were trying out their wings for the first time.
She mumbled dreamily. “Where are all the drink stands, umbrellas, and food trucks?”
Jennifer laughed. “The Krylon have no concept of vacationing at the beach. It will be a totally new concept for them.”
“Good. It means we’ll be getting the best seashells.” Rose rubbed her belly, leading Maiko to think she wouldn’t be collecting many with her own hands. Her ambassador beamed at her. Teric wore long shorts and no shirt, like the rest of the males. Rose tugged at the bag he had slung over his shoulder and he stopped briefly to set it beside her on the hover board. They gave the appearance of a securely bonded and happy couple.
Maiko commented casually as she pulled her knees up onto her own board. “I’m not certain Krylon oceans have invertebrate sea creatures with exoskeletons.”
Oracha clarified. “We have three primary invertebrates with shells. Mostly the kryogen wash up on shore. The other two types have fragile shells and often disintegrate before they make it to shore. You should have plenty to choose from.”
Jen commented matter-0f-factly. “You two are starting to sound alike. It’s getting weirder by the day.”
She watched Oracha walk ahead of the group. He bent over at regular intervals and picked up shells from the ground.
Maiko started to experience some nagging guilt over the things she’d said to him. He hadn’t seemed very chipper since. She grabbed her bag, jumped off the hover board, and walked out to join him.
Since the expectation was for them to fall madly in love, everyone gave them a wide berth. If she were being honest, she’d have admit that he looked pretty hot with his long hair blowing in the wind and his carved physique on display in the sunshine. He was a good-looking specimen of man.
Sensing her approach, he spoke. “Don’t worry, princess. We’ll get all the best specimens for you to take back to Earth. Do you have public display cases for artifacts on Earth?”
Hesitating slightly, she almost faltered. “I… wanted to talk to you for a minute.”
“There is no need. You made yourself quite clear the last time we spoke. How many shells will you require? Does it matter the size?”
“Look, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have spoken to you in such a way. It was unfair. Most of it was an exaggeration anyways.”
“You aren’t mature enough for a relationship yet. I did not realize such before.”
Turning on him, she asked. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“I know all about avoiding responsibility. I didn’t take my imperial position seriously, made everything a joke, and didn’t even try to put the needs of my people first. It cost me the crown.”
Maiko dropped her hand from her hip. “It must have taken a lot of introspecting to come to such a conclusion.”
“You’re avoiding responsibility the same as me. Only because you’re human and female, it looks a little different on you.”
“So, you’ve gotten me figured out as well as yourself? You have been busy.”
Looking away, he spoke again. “You avoid responsibility by simply refusing to grow up. All the joking and giggling makes you seem childish and it keeps men from approaching you for age-appropriate relationships. You lie to yourself about being unattractive. I think you refuse to get your vision corrected because you use the ocular devices as a way of keeping people at arm’s length. Pushing them around on your face is cute and distracting. You do the same thing with those ancient Earth ear contraptions. You could just use an ear clip like everyone else, but you insist on putting them in and taking them out each time you want music. You do it more frequently when you’re under stress. It’s easier to hide behind your big brother and allow life to slip right by you, isn’t it?”
Celestial Mates Complete Series Box Set (Books 1-5) (Alien SciFi Romance) Page 33