by Tamsin Ley
The royal sleeping chamber was empty when he arrived, but the air still smelled of regeneration fluid. His gaze settled on his father’s resting pod; the green liquid was calm as glass.
Arazhi’s heart plummeted. He hurried to the edge of the pod, looking down at the indistinct blue form beneath the surface. “Father?”
Small ripples disturbed the surface as the blue shape at the bottom moved, but his father didn’t rise to greet him.
Looking around the empty room, Arazhi called out, “Hello? Where is everyone?”
His mother entered from the balcony doorway. “Arazhi? No one told me you’d returned.” She rushed forward to wrap her arms around his waist, then pulled back to look up at him. “You’re so much taller than usual.”
He kissed the top of her head, realizing he was still in his human form. Altering it now would be pointless, so he simply said, “This is the form my human prefers.”
Her eyes lit up. “You found one, then?”
“We can talk about that in a moment.” He wasn’t ready to reveal that the female he’d selected didn’t suit his parents’ purpose. “How’s father? Have the healers made any progress on an antidote?”
She nodded, but worry railed against his Iki’i. “Yes. They’ve halted the poison and Elthos says he will live.”
He narrowed his eyes. “That’s good news, right?”
“Indeed.” She placed a finger to her lips. “He needs his rest. Come to the balcony so we can talk.”
He followed her trail of fear outside to the far end of the stone balcony. A small table beneath the shade of the happa fronds still held a half-eaten meal, and potted yellow kanzo blossoms drooped in the heat nearby.
She took both his hands. “Tell me about your female. Is she carrying your child yet?”
“Why does it matter? If father will recover, there should be no rush for me to produce an heir.” He bent his head so he could look directly into her eyes. “I sense a lie here.”
Her brows knit, and she shook her head. “I’m not lying. Your father will live. But…” She swallowed and tears brimmed in her eyes. “Elthos says he may never again be able to shift out of his current form.”
Arazhi’s stomach squeezed, and the brief moment of relief he’d felt about his father’s escape from death felt like ash at the back of his throat. In their resting form, Kirenai couldn’t easily communicate with other species. Which meant that his damma faced a future bonded to a mate she couldn’t speak with. She’d have to rely on intermediaries. “Oh, Damma.”
She swiped at the tears streaming down her cheeks. “He doesn’t know yet, and I fear he may give up the will to live when he finds out. But he was clear about one thing the last time we spoke—he’s counting on you to produce an heir and carry on our dynasty.”
Arazhi looked away, staring at an insect with its face buried in the kanzo blooms. “The human I selected believes she is infertile.”
Damma remained silent for a heartbeat, then sighed. “You were supposed to find a mother for your child, not another bedmate.”
“By the time I found out, we were already on our way here.” Not that he’d been interested in any of the other humans he’d seen while on Earth. “You’re the one who told me to keep my heart open.”
Damma’s eyebrows shot up. “So she’s your mate?”
Her direct question put him on edge. He didn’t want to admit it, but the deepest part of him knew. I’m meant to be with Georgie. “All I know is that there’s something between us. I want to make her happy.”
Sighing, Damma looked him over, as if assessing his current form for flaws. “Well, I suppose that explains why you showed up in human form.” She tapped her chin thoughtfully. “Earth’s technology is primitive. Just because she believes she’s infertile doesn’t mean the problem can’t be corrected. Did you take her to the royal healers?”
“Not yet,” Arazhi said, remembering Georgie’s conflicting emotions. “She said she tried to have a child for a long time and is afraid of being disappointed again. I need time to convince her.”
“Arazhi, you know what’s at stake. You’re not bonded yet, so if she’s not viable, you must leave her. Return to Earth and find another who is willing to produce your child.”
The thought of taking another human to his bed stuck in his throat, no matter the stakes. At least he had a valid excuse for delaying. “I can’t go back to Earth. Someone tried to kill me at the party.”
“What?” Damma’s alarm sliced through his Iki’i like a blade.
Arazhi described what had happened and how he’d been forced to leave his security officer behind. He glanced toward the door to the royal chambers. “Whoever poisoned the food is probably the same person who tried to kill father. Zhiruto has the transport web locked down until he finds the traitor.”
“That’s horrible.” Damma sat heavily in her chair, her grief weighing against his Iki’i. Then a thoughtful look settled over her features. “You know, Earth isn’t the only place to meet human females. Some women we rescued from the slave ship are still with us. It’s how we know about their frequent estrus cycles—”
“Mother!” His shock at her pending suggestion overwhelmed anything his Iki’i might be receiving from her. “You can’t be serious?”
“I’m not saying we should force anyone. But you are a prince and quite charming. I’ll bet you could convince one to become the mother of the future emperor of the galaxy.”
“No.” He rose abruptly from his seat. “They’ve been through enough. I won’t treat them like breeding stock.”
She looked up, her voice rough. “I don’t suggest it lightly. But these are desperate times. If Aguno takes the throne, the Senburu will control the galaxy, and if that happens, rest assured that more than a handful of primitive Earth women will be forced into slavery—including this woman you’re so intent on having as your mate.” The intensity of her emotions was like a gale force wind. “You have no time to waste on an infertile female. Keep her as a concubine if you wish, but you must take another who can bear a child. You have more to consider than yourself, Arazhi. Your duty must come first. The fate of the galaxy is in your hands.”
Arazhi’s teeth ached from grinding them. He knew his duty. But he also understood Georgie well enough to know she’d refuse to become a mere concubine. With her, it was all or nothing. He felt the same way. “Georgie would never accept that role.”
Yet a sickening feeling was growing inside him, one he knew he couldn’t fight. His mother spoke the truth. He mustn’t allow his heart to cause the downfall of the galaxy. But he was unable to picture a future without Georgie. “Give me a few days. I’ll try to convince her to see a healer. And if I can’t, I’ll consider a surrogate.”
Damma pursed her lips. “I suppose we can keep your father’s condition a secret a while longer. But you must hurry. As soon as word gets out about your father’s prognosis, the Senburu will make their move.”
Lowering his head in acknowledgement, Arazhi turned and strode from the royal chambers, heading to his quarters where Georgie waited. He’d spent a lot of time with women and knew how to please them. Yet he’d never had to worry about how they actually felt about him. Never had he felt as nervous as he did right now. Was he being a fool, like he had all those years ago on Sireta Prime? The disappointment of that youthful encounter still twisted in his chest.
You don’t even know if she’s the one. But there was a way to be certain.
Taking a detour to the courtyard, he strayed from the path to a jutting rock garden. The sun still glanced off the top of the highest rocks, and he stepped onto the first sharp ledge, letting his feet sense the hardness of the stone. He’d often played here as a boy, pretending to be a Fogarian explorer, and now he relaxed his matrix, imagining the sharp noses and facial hair common to the species. Looking at his hands, he tried to form a Fogarian’s short claws and broad palms.
Although his human features had softened, he couldn’t seem to grasp the shape h
e was seeking. Thinking he might need to start from scratch, he looked around to verify no one was watching, then let himself sink into his resting form before once more pulling himself upright as a Fogarian.
But when he looked at his hands, they had the blunt nails of a human. He touched his cheeks, finding smooth skin. And his nose was the same aquiline shape he’d worn for the past few days. Human.
Which could only mean one thing.
Georgie was his mate.
13
Georgie stood on the veranda outside the suite and gazed into the vivid alien forest beyond. Towering blue trees grew right up to the palace walls, while farther out between the tree trunks, ground-hugging underbrush ranged from mahogany to midnight blue. Through a small clearing in the trees, she could see a road snaking through the forest, alive with oddly organic-looking vehicles, and more traffic moved overhead in the azure sky. Yet despite the activity, there was no roar of jets or rumble of wheels. The air was impossibly quiet; the only sound was the occasional whirr, hum, or rustle of local wildlife.
She edged farther along the short railing, keeping to the shade as the sun sank toward the trees. The few minutes she’d been exposed to the blazing white orb’s rays had made her fair skin prickle, and she’d quickly recognized how easily she’d burn under this alien star. At least a gentle breeze from the forest tempered the heat.
Inhaling the slightly metallic smelling air, she reminisced about how only a few weeks ago she’d been arguing with Maise and Lora about whether or not aliens were real. Now, here she was—in an alien palace, no less—waiting for her alien lover to return. She glanced down at the paint still glowing faintly on her arms, recalling how he’d created the patterns with almost reverent attention to every inch of her body. She wasn’t the kind of girl who swooned, but damn if that hadn’t made her come close.
“Georgie,” Arazhi’s deep voice drew her attention.
She looked up to find him standing stiffly in the doorway, features slack as if in shock. Concerned that he’d received bad news, she hurried over. “How’s your dad?”
He put both arms around her and pulled her close, bending to inhale deeply at the top of her head. “Not well.”
She wrapped her arms around his waist and squeezed. “I’m so sorry.”
He held her like that for a long moment, then sighed and kissed her forehead before pulling away. “You’re a great comfort to me.”
She smiled up at him. “I’m glad I’m here for you, then.”
“So am I.” He sighed heavily. “But I need to talk with you.”
Her stomach lurched. His tone reminded her of when Josh had given her the news he was leaving her. “Of course.”
He led her inside to the large bed and sat on the edge, pulling her to sit next to him. “You know that in order to become emperor, I must produce an heir.”
Yep. Pretty much the same conversation I had with Josh. Why couldn’t she be worth more to Arazhi than her ability to breed? “Of course. I understand.”
His fingers tilted her chin toward him. “Will you please reconsider seeing our healers? Time is of the essence, and with the situation on Earth, I’m uncertain when I can return you.”
To exchange for a new female, she finished the sentence in her mind. Jealousy jabbed her heart like a white-hot poker, and she had to remind herself to focus on the good things she had on Earth. Parents who loved her, friends, a business… well, she hoped she still had a business after the debacle at the auction.
But what if his healers can actually fix me? Arazhi was gorgeous, wealthy, artistic. He even knew how to be forceful without being an ass—something most human men never learned. And the way he tended her every need told her he’d make a wonderful father.
Looking into his eyes, she saw hope there that mirrored her own. She bit her lip, resisting the urge to say yes and chance another heartbreak. Yet she also couldn’t seem to say no. The silence stretched. Yes. Say yes. But the word remained a lump in her throat.
As if sensing her teetering, he released her chin and made a sweeping gesture toward the palace. “I promise that as the mother of the future emperor, you’ll live right here in the palace and be lavished with the finest things the galaxy can offer.”
It was as if a guillotine dropped, severing any urge to agree. This wasn’t a romantic offer or even an offer of partnership as a co-parent. He was offering to pay her to produce his child. She yanked her hand from his and stood, looking down on the muscled blue alien. “I have no desire to become a brood mare, well-kept or not. I want a husband.”
He rose slowly, eyes becoming slits. “I should’ve known.”
Alarmed at the sight of this new side to Arazhi, she asked, “Known what?”
“You’re no different than the others.” His lips curled into a sneer. “Only better at distracting me from your lies with your emotions. Are you truly even barren? Or is that just a ploy?”
She frowned and shook her head. “A ploy? For what?”
He stepped forward until he loomed over her, looking down into her upturned face. “To become queen.”
“To…” She gaped at him. “You think I orchestrated all of this to become a queen?” Planting her hands against his chest, she shoved. He remained solidly in place. She glared, refusing to back down. “You’re the one who abducted me, remember?”
His fathomless dark eyes bored straight into her soul. “You were in charge of the auction.”
“So? I didn’t force you to bid on me.” Her breath heaved. How dare he put her through all this, then accuse her of being deceitful? “I didn’t even know you were a prince until we were already on route to your planet.”
His nostrils flared, as if trying to sniff out the truth. Then his brows drew together, and he took a step back. “Do you truly have no desire for the throne?”
“I couldn’t care less about some throne in a galaxy far, far away.” She waved a hand at the darkening sky out the windows, noting the fading swirls of light Arazhi’d tattooed on her skin. She’d been a fool to imagine he wanted more than her body and its ability to bear children. Inability, she reminded herself, covering her mouth with one hand and fighting a blur of tears. Her heart felt like it was about to break into pieces. “I want a husband who loves me—regardless of whether I can bear him a child or not.”
Arazhi’s features softened, and he stared at her as if awestruck. “I’ve misjudged you.”
She dropped her hand from her mouth, balling it into a fist and trying to summon more indignation. But her words only emerged as a whisper, “Damn right you’ve misjudged me.”
Slowly sinking to one knee in front of her, he took her clenched hand. “Can you forgive me?”
She jerked her fist away, wishing she was ballsy enough to punch him in the face. “Why should I?”
“Because I love you.”
Time stopped for a moment. She blinked. Mere seconds ago, he’d accused her of deceit. Then there was the fact they’d only just met. How could he love her? “You’re only saying that so I’ll go see the healers. The moment they confirm I’m barren, you’ll kick my ass to the curb.”
He tilted his head. “I don’t know what this curb is you refer to, but rest assured I would never, ever kick you.”
His sincere confusion almost made her smile. Almost. “It means you’ll throw me away like trash. Discard and abandon.”
“Never.” He shook his head, his midnight eyes full of integrity. “I wish to give you everything your heart desires. I was wrong to doubt your intentions. You are my mate.”
Taking her hand again, he pressed his forehead to her knuckles, then once more met her gaze. “I, Prince Arazhi, first in line of the Yazhu dynasty, offer myself for your pleasure for the rest of your days. Georgie, in the manner of the Kirenai mate-bond, will you become my queen?”
Her breath caught. Was he serious? “Are you… are you asking me to marry you?”
He nodded. “More than marry. Mate. Kirenai pair for life, kikajiru. What I’m asking
is not trivial.”
“But you need an heir. What if the healers can’t fix me?”
There was a hint of worry in his tone as he said, “We have other options. We could use a surrogate to bear my child, though that’s not something I want to think about now. All I know is that I can’t live without you. Please say yes.”
Her heart urged her to agree, but her brain cautioned her with common sense. This was happening too fast. Maybe it was normal among aliens to fall in love so quickly, but she was human, and she’d never believed in love at first sight. “Can I have time to think about it?”
He frowned and tilted his head down. “If that’s what you need.”
She swallowed, guilt creeping in that she couldn’t freely return his feelings. “For humans, love takes more time.” Before she could stop herself, she added, “Let me see the healers first. If they can’t help me, you’ll have a chance to change your mind.”
His gaze connected to hers like a bolt of lightning. “Nothing they say will change my desire for you.”
Her skin flushed with warmth and her knees grew weak. God, she wanted him to touch her right now, to stand and pull her close. It was as if every one of her nerve endings caught on fire. But it wouldn’t be right to give in to him, not until they had an answer. If he still wanted her when they confirmed her infertility, then she’d say yes. She lifted her chin in defiance. “It might not change your mind, but it could change mine.”
That same almost-smile he’d worn at the auction softened his features, as if he’d just glimpsed her deepest secret. “Then we shall see the healers. But no matter what, you’ll be my bride.”
She nodded slowly, still unsure.
He let his attention drift slowly down her body, and she became hyperconscious of the fact she wore no underthings below the thin fabric wrapped around her like a towel. He ran a finger along the seam of cloth falling down her front, taking the bottom edge and rubbing it between his fingers so it gaped open by her thigh. “You’re beautiful in this.”
