The far side of the palace has clearly borne the brunt of the devastation. Crater-sized chunks are missing from the polished, cream floors, and we have to maneuver around them like an obstacle course. Dust and debris litter our path, and the air is cloying and dry. Cracked, broken framed photographs hang loosely from the walls. Others are shattered to pieces where they hit the ground. Tables, chairs and other exquisite pieces of furniture are overturned or fragmented beyond repair. Vases and decorative ornaments—no doubt expensive and most likely irreplaceable—lie smashed to smithereens. Fist-shaped holes mar the walls in an intermittent fashion.
This part of Logan’s home is a total mess. “Stars. This is awful. I’m so sorry, Logan.”
“Evana says Dante is responsible for a lot of this damage. It must have been one hell of a temper tantrum. This way,” he says, motioning at the elegant curved staircase in front of us.
My eyes flit over the succession of official-looking images and paintings lining the walls as we ascend the stairs. There’s a remarkable resemblance in the paternal line as I clap eyes over a succession of Logan’s relatives all with the same inky-black hair and striking blue eyes. I stop in front of an obvious one of Logan. He is only a child, but his distinctive features easily give his identity away. His twinkling ocean-blue eyes and cute little dimples dominate the picture magnificently. “How old were you there?”
“Ten.” He shoves his hand in his pockets as he inspects the photo.
“You look adorable.” I reach out and muss up his hair.
He quirks a brow. “Are we looking at the same picture?”
I nudge my elbow in his ribs. “Where’s Dante?” I’m curious to see what a douchebag-in-the-making looks like.
“His picture isn’t there.” He takes my hand, leading me up the stairs.
I slant an inquisitive look his way. “Why not?”
“The gallery is only for kings and heirs.”
That kind of sucks, but I don’t verbalize the thought. While I don’t have even a shred of sympathy for Dante anymore, a teeny-tiny part of me can sort of understand how Dante ended up like he did. Logan’s father was very callous toward him. It’s obvious who the favored son was. A part of me can relate, but I didn’t turn into evil incarnate.
Logan guides me to his room and stalks to the bathroom to run me a bath. I wander around his suite—no space this large could ever be referred to as only a room—and marvel at the clean sophisticated décor, the sleek, modern furniture, and the quirky little touches that brand it his space. I’m staring at a large digital board with a shit-eating grin on my face when Logan reappears.
“You are such a dork,” I exclaim as my fingers flit over the multitude of images and videos of Will Smith. Pinned quotes and sayings are highlighted, and I chuckle when I recognize a few. “Oh. My. God. Did you actually learn these on purpose?”
He reels me into his arms and kisses the top of my head. “Will I be cementing my dork status if I answer affirmatively?”
“Absolutely.” I look up into his beautiful eyes. “But I only love you more for it.” I place my hands on his broad chest.
“I thought it might impress the girls.”
“Well, it impressed this girl.” I grin and he grins back at me. “What?”
He gives me a saucy wink. “You’re kinda feeling me up.”
My eyes trail my hands as they move on autopilot, sweeping and caressing the rippled planes of his muscled chest and shoulders. My eyes flick back up to his, and I raise my brows. “Are you complaining?”
“Angel, I would never complain about that.” His lips smash against mine, and fireworks burst to life in my chest sending hot tremors cascading throughout my body. He groans reluctantly as he pulls away. “I have to go and sort out Evana’s room before I attend the Council meeting.” He presses a tiny kiss against my collarbone and I shiver. “Your bath is ready, and I left some of my stuff in there for you. I’m not sure where your bag is, but I’ll get someone onto it.”
I feel cold the instant his arms are no longer around me. “Can I attend the meeting with you?”
He contemplates that for a second. “Sure.” He slips me a proud smile. “Going forward, you will have a rightful place at all meetings as my queen.”
And, of course, my cheeks burn flaming-red.
He snickers. “You’re so cute when you’re embarrassed.”
I stick out my tongue and turn toward the bathroom. His laugh is even louder. “Go.” He swats my butt and I shriek. “Get in the tub before I change my mind and join you.”
A sizzle of electricity whips through the air, and our connection sends happy, naughty thoughts to my mind. With slow, deliberate movements, I sashay forward, lifting the hem of my hospital gown up and over my head. It flitters softly to the floor as Logan emits a clear intake of breath.
I tease him with measured thrusts of my bare hips and toss him a cheeky kiss over my shoulder.
“You. Are. Killing. Me.” His lustful look does funny things to me.
“Save those naughty thoughts for later, My King.” I lick my lips and flash him a look loaded with promise.
He moans, looking torn, and I take pity on him. “Go on, you need to get out of here. I’ll make it up to you later.”
His eyes gleam brightly as he blows me a kiss and exits the room.
As I ease my body into the warm water, I silently applaud myself for my first successful seductive show.
I’m spread-eagled across the couch, dressed only in Logan’s T-shirt when he returns about a half hour later. Closing the door, he stalls as his eyes trail a path up my legs. “You look frigging hot in my shirts. I’m almost tempted not to give you these,” he says, handing me a bundle of clothing.
“Almost?” I query, pulling myself up.
“There’s no way I’m bringing you to the Council meeting dressed like that.” He crawls over me and leans down. His mouth is only inches from mine. “This is for my eyes only.” His hand starts to creep up my thigh, and an ache begins to build low in my belly.
My back arches off the couch as his touch sends fiery shivers rippling all over my skin. Grabbing his head, I pull his mouth to mine, manically kissing him as if my life depends on it. He presses his body flush against mine and we groan in unison. My legs curl around his waist as he melts into me. Our kissing is growing more frenzied as we start to move against one another. I need to feel him, all of him, inside of me. The intensity of my need is thrilling and new, and I don’t think I’ll ever get enough of it. Of him. Logan’s delightful acknowledgment of my sentiment burns hot through our connection.
He bites and sucks on my lips as his hands inch urgently up under my shirt, and I emit a needy moan when his fingers brush the underside of my breast. Squirming with potent desire, I wrench his shirt out of his pants and start hoisting it up his body. He rears up, whipping the shirt off in one fluid motion, the second a tart rap knocks on the door.
“Go away” we both think at the same time. Logan stifles a half-laugh, half-groan, as he reluctantly lifts himself off me.
“One moment,” he calls out before dipping down and kissing me passionately. Straightening up, he smooths his shirt and tucks it back into the band of his pants. “Stars, you are so beautiful. If you could only see yourself now. You look ravishing.”
“Ravish me. Please.”
He closes his eyes as a guttural, primitive growl slips out of his mouth. “Not. Helping.”
Opening his eyes, he sighs contentedly. “I love you,” he mouths as he turns toward the door.
“Right back at ya.” I jump up, clutching the clothes to my chest and run into the bathroom to change.
I’m walking hand in hand with Logan, wearing the same black shirt and pants get-up as him, although, mine are rolled up several times at the sleeves and legs.
How cute, we’re even dressing alike now. I snort at my own effort at humor. Logan shoots me an amused look, and I blow him a kiss.
My trusty boots adorn my feet, making squ
elching noises as we travel across the polished floor. Still slightly damp from the bath, my hair hangs like soft, billowy drapes around my shoulders. Our escort tramps purposefully ahead, and I have to walk-jog to keep up with both of them.
Every pair of eyes follows our movements as we step into the meeting room. I attempt to calm my nerves as Logan leads me by the hand to the top of the long curved table. Holding out a chair, he gestures for me to sit down. I oblige, and he takes the seat alongside me at the head of the table. His fingers creep over my leg, and I gratefully snatch his hand.
One by one, each Advisor stands and introduces themselves. If it seems odd that I’m here, then none of them make that obvious. They get down to business immediately, updating Logan on communications from the districts and neighboring planets, outlining steps to begin rebuilding the damage to the palace and the Central City, and discussing their plans to solidify his position as the rightful heir to the throne. There is much concern that the fighting will recommence if swift action isn’t taken, and apparently, there are sparse pockets where combat is still ongoing. My ears perk up at the next subject change.
“We are unsure what to do with the humans,” a tall distinguished-looking fair-haired man says. He glances pointedly at me. Tiny hairs rise all over my body. I had completely forgotten about the volunteers-slash-victims Dante took to Saven.
“Where are they?” I observe the man head-on, pinning him with a steely look.
“Dante had them chained in the old underground warehouse, and after we freed ourselves, we couldn’t find any space large enough to move them to, so they are still there.”
Logan pales, slamming his hand down on the table. “I wouldn’t keep animals in those conditions!”
“I’m sorry, Your Royal Highness,” the man stutters, looking more confused than apologetic. “Mobility was restricted as Dante’s troops were still trying to infiltrate the palace. Our only option was to move them in here but … we didn’t have a large enough space.” It seemed like he wanted to say something else but changed his mind at the last second.
“There are hundreds of empty rooms in this palace!” Logan exclaims. “There was more than enough room if you had split them up.” He withdraws his hand from mine and leans back in his chair, lost in thought. No one dares say a word. He turns to me. “I can organize transport to bring them back to Earth, but I’m not sure that’s the right course of action given the intel Jarod relayed. What do you think?”
“Why don’t we let them decide? We can tell them that if they want to return to Earth, you can arrange transportation, or if they’d prefer to stay here until things have settled down, you’ll arrange more suitable accommodation.”
“They should hear it from you. They probably don’t trust us,” he suggests.
“Of course. And if the timings work, I could even be on the ground to help resettle them when they arrive back on Earth.”
“Okay. Agreed.” Logan leans his elbows on the table.
“My King, if I may raise objection.” A stern-faced man with hard eyes speaks up from the end of the room. “While your brother’s methods were ill-advised, I still believe there is merit in pursuing the conscience transfer program. Ensuring stability on Saven depends upon it. We need those humans, and I don’t think they should be returned home, let alone offered any freedom to choose.” He sends me an ill-concealed spiteful look. Rage blossoms to life inside me.
My spine stiffens as I glare at him. “Enslaving one race to develop another is not progression, and I won’t stand by and let you treat those people like that. God knows what kind of treatment they’ve already endured and how many have lost their free will so far.”
“Whether you agree or not isn’t really the point. You don’t have a say in this, human.”
CHAPTER 20
Logan smashes his fist down on the table as he slowly stands up. With eerie calmness, he surveys the group in front of him. “Firstly,” he says in a barely restrained tone, “Sadie is part Saven.” Shocked gasps echo around the room, but he ignores them, continuing his speech. “And, secondly, we Eterno bonded when we were on Narik. High Elder Jaxa presided over the ceremony. Chancellor Xava has processed the Interim Instatement Order, and as soon as I’m officially inaugurated, Sadie will attend the Ceremony of Allegiance, and then we will publicly announce the news. She is going to be my queen. Your queen. And you will all treat her with the requisite respect.”
Initial shell-shocked silence gives rise to riotous debate. Acute disbelief has greeted Logan’s admission, and they are struggling to accept my heritage. While they can’t deny the Eterno bond, my genetic makeup and the reasons for same arouse considerable suspicion. From the sly looks flung at Logan, I can tell they don’t fully trust his motivations. A sorrowful pang hits me in the chest. I don’t want to be the cause of so much discontent. Or the reason his own people distrust him. I shouldn’t have come here.
I don’t belong here.
I shield my face with my hair, attempting to hide my warring emotions. But it’s of little significance, because Logan taps into everything I’m feeling. “You belong wherever I am. It’s come as a bit of a bolt out of the blue, but they will come around.” Deliberately, he leans down and kisses me, ignoring the hostility floating through the air.
Sitting back down, he addresses them bluntly. “I understand your shock, and you have a right to express your concerns. However, most of you have known me my entire life. Have trusted me implicitly. Have believed and supported my father’s wishes to see me ascend the throne as his rightful heir. Nothing has changed except I’ve fallen in love and chosen the person I wish to spend the rest of my life with. Sadie has already made me a better man.” He turns adoring eyes on me. “And I will be a better king with her by my side.”
Guarded looks are still the dominant feature in the room despite his passionate plea. A dark-haired man with soft, crinkly eyes stands up. “I know I can’t speak for everyone here, but you have my support. Both of you. I trust you, Logan. I trust you to do the right thing for the Saven people, and I will continue to stand by your side.”
His unofficial vote of support sets off a chain reaction. Gradually, one by one, everyone stands up and voices their confidence in Logan. Except for the two men who were the first to vocalize their objections. “I can’t support this,” they each advise Logan separately.
“Then I will have to excuse you from your duties,” Logan coolly replies. “I don’t want to lose either of you, but I can’t have any dissenters on my Council.”
“Perhaps they can be given some time to consider it. It has come as quite the shock,” a gentle-spoken blonde-haired woman says. She smiles hesitantly at me.
“I can agree to that,” Logan concurs. “But you need to keep everything we’ve discussed here today completely confidential. Have I made myself clear?”
“Of course, Your Royal Highness.” They both bow and exit the room.
Logan brings the rest of the meeting to a close by delegating tasks to everyone. A further meeting is arranged for early the next morning.
Haydn arrives into the room as the Council members are leaving. “You called, My King.” He does his usual half-bow thingy and my chest constricts.
“I need you to assign four guards to travel to Earth with Sadie, and please arrange a ship.” Haydn nods curtly, posing no reaction. “I take it you still intend to go?” Logan looks directly at me.
“You know I have to.”
“Just checking.” He cups my face gently on one side. “When do you want to leave?”
I think of earlier, and how I’d love nothing better than to spend the night here with him, losing myself in his loving arms, but my sister can’t wait. “I’d like to go after we visit the warehouse.”
He nods. “Please arrange it.” He instructs Haydn while looking at me.
“As you wish.” Haydn bows again and leaves.
Logan and I walk in silence through the palace. “I don’t want to go but I have to.”
&n
bsp; “I understand. I know you need to do this, but I hate the thought of another separation.”
I pull him to the side, wrapping my arms around his waist. “Me too, but I’ll come back as soon as I can. I promise.” I rise on my tiptoes and kiss him. To hell with all the inquisitive looks. They will just have to get used to our PDAs because I can’t ever contemplate a time where I won’t crave his lips, his touch.
We break apart, and he slings an arm around my waist as we resume our journey. The same guard escorts us down into a basement, and goose bumps the size of golf balls sprout all over my arms as we step into the damp, musty, chilly air of the dungeon. Horrific memories flash in front of my eyes. “I’m going to get rid of this place.” Logan strengthens his hold on my waist. “Completely redo the entire space. No one else will ever suffer underneath the palace walls.”
We move beyond the dungeon and out into a dark passageway, lit only by small shimmering wall-mounted candles. It’s like something from the dark ages. Cobwebs cling possessively to ancient, blackened recesses set within exposed, bare stone walls that have clearly seen better days. Parts of the walls are flaky and decayed and infected with fungus if the slimy, cloudy splotches are any indication. My nostrils itch aggravatingly.
Distressing wails prick my ears as we turn a bend. Distinctive moans and cries offer enough clues to the scene awaiting us. My tongue feels fluffy in my mouth, and bile surges at the base of my throat with each heavy step.
Four guards are on duty at a thick steel gate. They stand to attention as we approach, bowing respectfully toward Logan. “King Logan, to what do we owe this honor?” one of the guards asks, stepping forward and bowing at the waist again.
“We would like to speak to the humans.”
“Of course, Your Royal Highness.” He gestures at another guard, holding his palm over the corrugated steel door. A flashing red light and a little click confirm clearance, and the door starts inching back.
Saven Defiance (The Saven Series Book 4) Page 26
