As she watched, a fleet of Zodian Hawk Cruisers sliced across the sky toward the burnt out ruin of the city of New Gaviston several miles east of the base. A few months ago ships like that would be raining down destruction upon Earth cities and people, her people, but now with the peace the Zodians were offering friendship and the offer of alliance into their galactic confederacy.
Zodian military, officials and experts were now working eagerly with the Provisional Government to rebuild the planet, trying to put right all the damage they had caused. It was the beginning of a New Age.
Kayla wasn’t sure how she should feel about this new state of affairs. So many times during her career as a nurse she had been powerless to save the lives of many Earthlings, victims of the brutal Zodian war machine.
The Zodians were savage warriors, ferocious in battle and dismissive of such concepts as mercy and compassion during wartime. Many Earthlings were bitter and angry as a consequence and wanted nothing to do with this new peace, hence why factions of Neo-Fascists were still fighting on even though they had lost power, but Kayla didn’t share their fanatical hatred.
She had endured the horrors of the Neo-Fascist regime, witnessing the true evil of their depraved empire, and had survived a war that had claimed almost all of her family and friends. She was bone tired, and all she desired now was some kind of peace.
Leos’ handsome, sultry face rose again in her mind’s eye and a wave of yearning crashed over her. There was something about him that got under her skin. She felt a connection there, even though they barely knew each other and he had been less than talkative.
He’d been an utter jerk at first, but had shown a much warmer and gentler side after Riley had called him out, so maybe he wasn’t all that bad? He certainly intrigued her, and on an instinctive level she was sure he was someone worth getting to know.
Her grandmother always said that like attracted like and certain people were meant to come into your life at certain times to teach you more about yourself, whether you welcomed them in or not. Temptation warred with her commonsense and slowly wore down her defences. It had such been so long since she’d taken an interest in anybody and she desperately longed for a distraction from the daily grind and the long shadow of the war.
Besides, she loved a challenge when it came to the mating game, and Leos was certainly that. Perhaps this difficult, haughty Raven Prince was just what she was looking for.
Chapter 2: Circling Closer
Kayla next encountered Leos in the small recreational park in the quad at the centre of the medical centre. It wasn’t much to look at, with its four squares of artificial grass and few lonely benches, but it provided a change of scenery for the patients and somewhere for the medical staff to enjoy a break and escape the bad food and grim décor of the canteen. Kayla liked coming here to get some peace and quiet and to read.
As she came out into the quad, rooting around in her handbag for her book tablet, she didn’t spot the Zodian straight away. Glancing up, she stopped dead in her tracks and her first instinct was to bolt back inside.
He was in the gravel yard at the centre of the quad, clad in a black vest top with matching leggings, and seemed to be performing some kind of martial art. He moved with deadly grace, his hands and bare feet slicing through the air. Sweat crested his toned arms and uncovered shoulders and his skin sparkled diamond bright in the midday sun.
Kayla’s gaze was drawn to his elegant display, and she watched with hypnotic fascination as he went through a series of fearsome and exotic forms, a look of steely determination on his defined, handsome face. He seemed utterly absorbed in his workout and she drifted closer, feeling the need to stay and be noticed by him.
He wasn’t alone however. Two Zodian Falcon Troopers, tall and imposing in their blue and silver battle armour, were stood ramrod straight, watching the display also. One of them turned sharply, and raised his gauntlet to her face.
“This area is reserved for the Raven Prince,” the Trooper said, his voice deep and booming inside the beaked helm that covered his head. “Leave immediately.”
Kayla backed away, intimidated by the soldier and then felt a surge of anger. This was her planet and she worked here and this goon was telling her she couldn’t be in the park. She began to fume with anger. Who the hell did Leos think he was?
“I have as much right to be here as your pretty boy prince,” she thundered. “This is a public space and I am a nurse. I am entitled to be here!”
A few feet away, Leos had come out of the trance that he had slipped in to while he was training and now stopped abruptly to see what was going on. His eyes flashed as he recognised Kayla and she met his gaze, making his blue light grow slightly brighter.
“Leave her be,” he said, his voice sharp with command. “She can remain here if she wants.”
“Sire, our orders were that your privacy was not to be violated,” replied the Trooper who had tried to send her away. “There might be another attempt on your life.”
“If this woman meant me harm, I’d have been dead by now. She has plenty of admirers ready to attack at her command,” Leos said in a drawling voice. “Keep making her mad and it’ll be me that will have to protect you.”
Kayla laughed at this and Leos gave her a winning smile of pristine white teeth. The Trooper stood his ground. “Our orders were clear, sire.”
“Your orders are countermanded,” Leos said gruffly. “Go inside both of you. I’m getting bored of staring at that ridiculously vulgar armour they make you wear.”
Kayla thought she heard a spluttering sound come from inside the helm of the belligerent trooper. “Sire – ”
“I said go!” Leos snapped, his grey eyes sparking with fury. “I will be safe with the Earth woman, as long as I mind my manners.”
Realising he was fighting a losing battle, the Trooper bowed stiffly and he and his silent companion marched away. Kayla sidestepped quickly out of their way and tried not to look too smug. Leos watched them go, his face a mask of contempt.
“My brother’s men,” he muttered once the two Troopers had disappeared into the medical centre.
“That a problem?” Kayla asked. “I’m sure he must be concerned about you.”
“My brother has many concerns, but I am not one of them,” Leos replied enigmatically. He looked lost in thought for a moment and then suddenly remembered Kayla. “But that doesn’t concern you,” he said, brightening up. “It seems I must apologise again for Zodian rudeness. I assure you, we are not all unmannered boors.”
“It doesn’t matter,” Kayla replied, fingering the strap of her bag nervously. “I shouldn’t have interrupted you. I’ll go back inside.”
“No, don’t,” Leos said quickly. “I have finished my workout, and to be honest it would be nice to speak to someone friendly. I haven’t exactly made myself very popular in the ward and those two goons sent to watch over me are not the greatest of conversationalists. It’s good to see a kind face.”
“I didn’t think you’d want me annoying you again,” Kayla replied. “You didn’t seem to have much faith in my abilities the other day.”
Leos looked down at his toes and shrugged. “As I said, I hate being cooped up and I was sulking and taking my frustrations out on other people. It is a terrible vice of mine. I will try to behave better in future.”
“Okay, it doesn’t really matter,” Kayla replied. An awkward silence descended as both of them struggled to think of something else to say. “I see your leg’s getting better now,” Kayla managed at length. “You won’t have to stay here much longer now.”
Leos nodded and sat down heavily on a nearby bench. “I will be returning to Zodia in the morning,” he said, his perfect mouth downturned. “That is why my brother sent those two brutish nursemaids to watch over me. He wants to make sure I get aboard the ship.”
Kayla kept the disappointment of her face. She nodded and sat down next to him, putting away her book tablet and giving him a sympathetic look. “You’re
not thrilled at the idea of going home?”
“I wanted to play a key role in the rebuilding project,” Leos replied, “but the ambush on me and my escort changes things. The Owl Council of my planet and our two other kings deemed it unsafe for someone of my rank to be here, hence why I have to go back.”
Kayla frowned. “The other kings?”
“Yes, Zodia is governed by an imperial triumvirate,” Leos replied, giving her a curious look. “It consists of the Raven King, my brother, the Kestrel King and the Eagle King. I am surprised you did not know this.”
Kayla made a face. “The Ruling Party rationed information to a minimum. We knew very little about who we were fighting, only that you were the hated enemy and genetically inferior to the Master Race of Earth.
All that mattered was your total eradication. I can’t tell you the number of soldiers I saw mortally wounded and killed because of poor intel and the blind arrogance of our generals. So many lives were wasted that could have been saved.” She bristled with anger at the thought of it and a cold pain seeped through her stomach.
The fierceness in Leos’ eyes softened and he looked at her sadly. After a moments hesitation he reached out and laid a comforting hand on her arm. His skin was soft and warm. “For that I am more sorry than you can ever imagine,” he said gravely.
“Many times I and like-minded members of the Owl Council sued for peace, but the Neo-Fascists just would not listen. They were determined to build a galactic empire that spanned across the solar systems, butchering and enslaving all other races they came upon. We didn’t want this war Kayla, but we had to protect our aviary colonies and after we discovered the terrible massacres perpetrated against so many species on your slave planets, we had to put an end to Earth’s ambitions once and for all.”
Kayla nodded. “I understand. You were only doing what you thought was right. Trouble is we were doing the same.” She looked down at her hands, feeling too mournful and empty to cry. “Let’s not talk about it any more,” she said, offering him a weak smile. “Neither of us can change the past. It’s the future that matters now.”
“As you say,” Leos said gently. He was suddenly aware that he was still touching her and quickly removed his hand, shifting awkwardly on the bench as he did so. “I had hoped to see more of you,” he said, looking out at the quad. “You have not been around the wards these last couple of days.”
Kayla grimaced. “Don’t remind me. I’ve been on cleaning duties. It’s not much fun wiping down toilets and mopping floors, I can tell you.”
Leos shot her a surprised look. “You are a healer though, why would they force you to do such menial work?”
“We all have to pitch in and help each other out. That’s what comes of being a defeated people.” She gave him an admonishing look. “It’s not menial anyway. Those duties are just as important as being a nurse. Not all of us can be high and mighty princes.”
Leos raised his hands in supplication. “My apologies, I did not mean to belittle the domestic servants.” He let out an exasperated sigh. “It seems like ever since I met you, I have been in the wrong.”
“It’s what being a guy is all about honey,” Kayla said, giving him a playful wink. “You’ll get used to it.”
He stared at her bemused, and then burst out laughing. Kayla laughed as well, and felt lighter and happier. “If I’m honest, I absolutely hate it,” she confided in him, “but it’s not going to be for much longer.”
Leos nodded. “You’re going back to your normal duties. Good.”
“Not exactly Leos. They are closing the base at the end of the month and my discharge papers from the army will be coming through as well, so I will be out of a job.”
“I find that hard to believe. Surely the army will still need your abilities.”
“They might,” Kayla agreed, “but I’m not sure I still need the army.”
“You are tired of being a healer?”
“I’m tired of my life period,” Kayla said, failing to mask her bitterness. “These last few years have taken their toll. Don’t get me wrong, a lot of people have had a much worse war than I have, and I’m grateful I got the chance to use my skills to save lives, but when I think about the huge job the Earth faces as it tries to rebuild, it just leaves me numb.
I know I should stay and do my part, but I just want to turn my back on all the suffering and hardship. I want to go somewhere quiet and just have time to be myself, to try and connect with my inner self. I guess that sounds really immature and selfish.”
Leos shook his head, his face etched with thought. “It is not selfish,” he said quietly. “Your soul is sick. You need time to heal.”
Kayla looked at him and gave him a half smile. “I’m the one who should be telling you that you need time to heal. That wound has only just started to get better and you’re already doing crazy workouts. You should be resting.”
“Never mind me, we were talking about you,” Leos said. “You shouldn’t feel guilty about focusing on what you want now. The fighting is over. You have every right to enjoy the peace.”
“Maybe,” Kayla said not feeling convinced. “I’m not sure there’s going to be much enjoyment to come for a long time, not for me or the rest of the Earth. You know, you should consider yourself lucky you’re going back to your own planet. I think I’d like to spend some time on another world.”
“Then why don’t you? When your discharge papers come through there’s nothing to stop you,” Leos said. He dipped his gaze, and studied the ground. “Unless, you have somebody in your life to keep you here?”
Kayla studied his face and body language, now curious at his leading question. Had he asked because he was interested in her? “No, there’s nobody to keep me here. There’s been nobody for a long time. Even before the war, I was mostly single.”
Leos nodded and his face lit up. Was he pleased about that? He turned to her again and gave her an expansive gesture with his hands. “Then you have the whole universe to explore at your leisure,” he said, grinning boyishly. “You have no excuse not to take the plunge.”
Kayla thought about it. “I guess I could go and visit the outer colonies,” she said thoughtfully. “They didn’t suffer too much from the war, perhaps I could see what it’s like, maybe even start a new life.”
“That’s the spirit,” Leos said. He became all shy again and looked down at his feet. After a short silence he cleared his throat. “If you wanted, you could always come and visit Zodia if you’re feeling adventurous enough. It is a beautiful world, I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.” He blurted the words out quickly and then gave her a wary look. Kayla felt a thrill of excitement mingled with fear.
“I could do,” she said carefully. “I would be curious to see your world.”
“I can make the travel arrangements,” Leos said quickly. “I mean if you needed any help, and arrange accommodation for you. You only have to ask.”
“That’s very good of you, Leos,” Kayla said, not sure what where this was going. “Maybe in a month or two when the base closes I’ll take you up on your offer.”
“Do you really want to wait that long?” Leos said his stormy grey eyes now intently fixed her. “You could come with me when I leave in the morning.”
Kayla just stared at him, unable to answer straight away. “I . . . that’s so sudden, Leos. I couldn’t be released at such short notice.”
“I could square it with your superiors,” Leos said eagerly. “I am royalty after all, I’m sure your discharge process could be speeded up. Being the Raven Prince has its advantages.”
Kayla couldn’t process what was happening. He wanted her to go to an alien planet at the drop of a hat. She’d never been that impulsive in her whole life. “I’m not sure I could just go like that. It’s a big thing to ask, Leos.”
“I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important to me, Kayla,” he said, his voice deep with conviction. “I don’t want anything in return. I just want you to see where I come from and
learn more about Zodia. It could be a great honour for me if you were my guest, and if you don’t enjoy it I’ll arrange for you to return to Earth or to any other planet you desire to go to. You have my word as a Zodian noble that no harm will come to you.”
His face was utterly sincere, and the longing in his eyes made her heart ache. She realised at that moment how much she desired to escape, to start a new life far away from here. Leos was offering her a chance she might never get again, and every cell in her body screamed for her to say yes.
“I understand you are hesitant,” Leos said, looking deflated. “I shouldn’t have sprung it on you. Please forgive my impulsiveness. I am so used to being a spoilt little princeling I think I can get anything I want by just clicking my fingers. I have no right to disrupt your life, but please, when you come to make a choice of what you want to do next consider my offer. It will be open indefinitely. I will give you my private comm. signal.”
Kayla nodded. “Okay.”
“My thanks,” Leos said, giving her a bright smile but managing to look utterly miserable at the same time.
“No, I mean okay, I’ll come with you tomorrow.”
Leos stared at her, his amazed expression almost comical. “You will come with me?”
“Sure,” Kayla said with a wide smile, “unless you were just feeding me a line. If you were don’t sweat it. I doubt you could swing it for me to leave at such short notice anyway.”
“You’ll be coming with me no matter what,” Leos said with a fierceness that sent her heart beating wildly. “You can’t back out now. I am so happy Kayla, I have so much I want to show you, you have my word you won’t regret it.”
Kayla smiled back, struck by how easily she had been swept away by her feelings for this alien prince. She barely knew him, but here she was going off to his home planet on an impulse.
It was crazy and she should tell him here and now it wasn’t going to happen. She had a responsibility to the base and to her planet. It went against her innate sense of conscientiousness and cautious nature. But she didn’t back out of it. She was desperate for a change either for good or ill, and she didn’t want to let Leos slip out of her life until she had learnt more about him and know for certain whether there was a chance for them to get . . . more intimate. It was crazy and impulsive, but she didn’t care any more. She wanted to feel free and happy again before she grew old.
Royal Protector: Battle Of Love (Celestial Mates Book 8) Page 2
