She leaned forward and gave his large hand a squeeze. “I know I won’t regret it, Leos,” she said. All she hoped now was that he wouldn’t either.
Chapter 3: The Flight To Zodia
True to his word, Leos secured the permission of Kayla’s superiors to allow her be released from her duties and be discharged from the base. Everything happened so quickly, it felt like a dream, but it was all very real and at exactly five am the next morning two Falcon Troopers turned up at her door to take her to the private space port ten miles outside the base.
Leos was not with them as they boarded the small transport, and when she asked where he was one of the Troopers brusquely informed her that the Raven Prince had gone on ahead for security reasons.
She couldn’t be sure, but she guessed this was the Trooper she’d had the confrontation with in the recreational park. He didn’t speak to her unless he was spoken to, and his companion wasn’t up for conversation either, so the three of them sat in stony silence as the robo-driver took them out of the base and away from her old life.
Her stomach twisted and lurched all the way to the spaceport, and several times she wanted to tell them to stop and let her off. This was absolute insanity. She was acting like an irresponsible fool over some guy she’d only just met.
He might be a member of an alien royalty and have a face and body to die for, but he was still a virtual stranger. What’s more, he was a typical red-blooded male (or maybe he was green-blooded?), whatever colour his blood was, he was a man and he’d get bored of her.
It always happened, all through high school and the nursing academy and then later sporadically during the war. She’d get close to someone and once they got what they wanted, they didn’t want to know any more.
Leos seemed different, but she wasn’t naïve enough to think he wouldn’t be any better than all the others. The only thing that wouldn’t be the same this time around was that she’d be stuck on a distant world that had just fought a bitter conflict with her own planet. It was a recipe for disaster.
Dawn was just breaking as they reached the space port, displacing the deep gloom of night with fiery gold and deep pinks. A chill desert breeze tugged at her clothing as she disembarked from the confined transport, and she took a deep breath of fresh air.
As one of the Troopers brought out her meagre luggage, she spotted Leos striding towards her. He cut a dashing figure in his dark red velvet doublet and black breeches with matching boots, and was getting more irresistible every time she saw him. That was the moment she knew there and then that it was too late to turn back now.
“You came,” he said with a wide, gorgeous smile on his face. There was a deep sense of relief in his voice.
She looked at him in surprise. “Of course I did, you didn’t think I’d back out did you?”
“I wasn’t sure,” he said hesitantly, “but I’m so pleased you didn’t.”
“I’m pleased I didn’t too,” she said, reaching out and brushing off a stray thread from his shoulder. It was an unconscious act, but he didn’t seem to mind. “I’ll be honest though, all the way here I was worrying if I’d made a mistake. I nearly did turn back.”
“I am nervous too,” Leos admitted. “I want you so much to like my planet, but I’m not sure what you will make of it. I think you will find it very different to Earth, both in geography and culture.”
“I told you yesterday I was looking for a change. I’m going to enjoy it because it is different.” She paused, and feeling brave gave him a meaningful look. “I’ll enjoy it because you’ll be with me too.”
A golden light broke through the clouds of his stormy eyes, and his natural blue glow grew brighter again for a few heartbeats. “Come,” he said reaching for her arm, “let’s get aboard. We’ll be leaving shortly.”
They walked together across the tarmac to the imposing Peregrine class command ship that waited on the runway. Several more Troopers were on guard, armed with laser rifles, and they stood to attention as Leos approached.
She looked grimly at their weapons and fearsome helmets. She had been surrounded by the military for the last six years and was heart sick of it all. She hoped that Zodia was not as martial or totalitarian as the Earth had become.
He let her go first up the gangway and she entered a large compartment fitted out with dark polished wood and trimmed with gold. The floor was covered with a soft black carpet and her feet seemed to sink into it.
Elegant chairs of filigreed silver with plush seats and backs of indigo velvet surrounded a low glass table that had been laid out with a buffet style breakfast of Earth food. Kayla could smell freshly cooked bread and bacon and her mouth began to water.
“True to form I have acted like an unmannered pig again by dragging you out of your bed at an unmentionable hour to come with me to my planet,” Leos said, pulling out one of the chairs for her to sit on. “As a way of apologising I have requested that a generous breakfast be prepared. I have selected only Earth food to make you feel at home.”
“Thank you,” Kayla said, eying the vast selection on offer hungrily. “This is really generous.”
“It is the least I can do,” Leos replied, sliding into the chair opposite her. Though he appeared calm and confident, his eyes gleamed with nervous energy. “I hope it is satisfactory. What would you like?”
“Erm, a slice of toast please,” Kayla replied.
“Your wish is my command,” he said, taking a piece of white thickly slice toast from the rack and placing in on a small plate. “Butter?”
“Please, but I can do that myself,” Kayla said quickly.
“No, let me,” Leos insisted. “I want to be your servant today. I need to prove to you I’m not completely hopeless and dependent on my subjects.”
Kayla laughed and shook her head. “Okay, you win.”
“Good,” Leos said as he slathered a generous amount of golden coloured butter that melted instantly over the perfectly toasted bread. Offering her the plate, he buttered another slice of toast for himself.
Feeling self-conscious about eating in front of him, Kayla waited for him to start. He devoured his slice like a wild animal. She started eating her own, not worrying if it crunched too loudly. Leos was making enough noise for both of them. For some strange reason, she found it quite endearing.
“Could I trouble you for some coffee?” she asked after finishing her toast. The hot food had boosted her spirits and she was feeling more confident and relaxed now.
“Surely,” he said, retrieving a pot from a nearby coffee maker and pouring them both a cup. “Milk and sugar?”
“Just milk please.”
“I adore coffee,” Leos confided, reaching for the sugar bowl. “I like it black and sweet,” he revealed as he started putting in the sugar. Kayla counted nine spoonfuls and stared at him.
“So I can see,” she said keeping the amusement out of her voice.
He took a generous swig and licked his lips. “I acquired a taste for it at the Siege of Venus.”
Kayla looked at him in surprise. “You were at the Siege of Venus?”
Leos nodded slowly. “You know what went on there?”
“I was assigned to the medical corps stationed on Deimos Base 4. We took in a lot of casualties from the Siege. Some of the stories those soldiers told . . .” Kayla trailed off, enveloped by grim memories.
Leos reached out and squeezed her hand. “No bad thoughts,” he chided. “Like you said before, neither of us can change the past. It’s the future that matters now. You want eggs and bacon?”
She looked up at him, shook from her reverie. He was pointing to the warming trays on the table, a goofy grin on his face. Kayla couldn’t help but laugh and her black mood was swept away instantly. “Sure,” she said, “that would be delightful.”
They chatted pleasantly about everything and nothing as they breakfasted, and Kayla was only dimly aware of the vessel taking off. After she had eaten her fill she watched Leos devour more food than she’d ev
er seen a man consume in one sitting, and the two of them drifted over to an overstuffed couch at the far end of the compartment.
It felt nice to settle down together, and Leos ordered the ship computer to lower the view screen. It slid down from the ceiling and immediately started playing Earth cartoon shows that Kayla remembered watching on a Saturday morning as a kid.
Something else from Earth he had taken a liking to, Leos explained with a sheepish grin. She found it rather sweet that a proud and powerful alien warrior could enjoy something so innocent, and curled up closer to him as they began watching the cartoons.
Leos was entranced as he watched the shows, and told Kayla all the names of the characters and the actors who supplied the voices, laughing out loud several times when they did something goofy. She watched along with him until her eyes got heavy and felt herself teetering on the edge of sleep.
At some point Leos had wrapped his arm around her shoulder and subconsciously she nestled down against the soft material of his doublet. He felt warm and strong and she drifted off to sleep listening to the comforting beat of his heart.
Chapter 4: An Audience With The Raven King
Kayla woke from a deep and dreamless sleep not knowing where she was. Disorientated, she sensed Leos before she looked at him. She was still snuggled against him, with his arm draped protectively around her and felt his warm, sweet breath tickling her face. He was fast asleep, and, rather bizarrely, purring like a cat.
Kayla felt a deep outpouring of affection for him and on impulse leaned forward and gave him a light kiss on the nose. He let out a sleepy murmur but didn’t wake up.
Kayla decided to let him be. Staying in his embrace she turned her head to look up at the monitor. The cartoons had stopped playing and the view screen was showing the vast star field that the ship was travelling across. Directly ahead of them was the colossal portal crystal that would transport them the rest of the way to Zodia Space.
Kayla watched as the ship slipped into the translucent depths of the crystal. She’d gone through a portal crystal many times before, but she always found the transference from one reality to another exhilarating.
A shudder went through the compartment as they made the crossing, and it was enough to wake Leos.
“Ah, we’re almost home,” he murmured as he stretched and rubbed at his eyes. He smiled sleepily at Kayla noting that she was snuggled close to him. “Looking forward to seeing Zodia?”
“I can’t wait,” she said, gazing up into his deep eyes. “I’m glad that I decided to come now.”
“I’m glad you did as well.”
They fell into a pregnant silent and without meaning to, Kayla leaned closer and pressed her lips against his mouth. He tasted wonderful and her body surged with wildfire as the kiss deepened. His strong arms came round to embrace her and she clung to him tightly.
Drifting away into bliss, she was utterly oblivious to everything, even the Trooper who entered the compartment, until he coughed discreetly. Kayla pulled away from Leos with a start and looked at the Trooper guiltily.
“My apologies for disturbing you sire,” the Trooper said gruffly, “but we will soon be entering Zodia’s atmosphere.”
“Yes, thank you,” Leos said tersely. “You may go.”
The Trooper bowed, his beaked helmet swinging in Kayla’s direction for a fraction of a second before he marched out of the compartment. She could imagine the gossip running wild throughout the ship.
“I’d better freshen up before we land,” Kayla said shyly, reluctantly disentangling herself from Leos’ embrace. “I want to make sure I look my best,” she added, brushing down the scuba blue sweater and matching dress that she wore.
“Yes of course,” Leos said quickly. “The washroom is through there. You should find the facilities are pretty similar to what you have on Earth.”
Kayla made a face. “I certainly hope not.”
He laughed brightly, but there was an edge of nervousness to it. He looked away awkwardly and focused on the screen. Kayla wondered if he regretted the kiss, but didn’t dare ask him. She was falling hard for him and she didn’t know how to handle it.
Once she’d freshened up and returned to the compartment, the glowing pearl white orb that was Zodia now filled the view screen. Leos gave her a bashful smile. “Here it is,” he said. “You like it?”
“It’s beautiful,” she said in a hushed voice. “I’ve never seen anything so fantastic in my life. The Propaganda Ministry said you came from a fiery, desolate world.”
“Don’t believe everything the Propagandists tell you,” Leos drawled. He edged closer to her and tentatively slipped his hand in hers.
As they stood together watching the view screen, the vessel angled down into Zodia’s atmosphere and surged ahead. A magnificent panorama of silvery mountains spread out before her eyes, shining lustrously beneath the pristine sun.
“That’s where we’re heading,” Leos said pointing to a dark blur in the distance. “Raven Roost, the imperial capital of the Raven Dynasty.”
Kayla stared entranced as the command ship swooped down into a wide valley tucked between the silvery mountains. She looked in wonder at the lush vegetation that filled the valley, fascinated by the sprawling forests of a rich deep burgundy and latticed with clover green rivers.
She longed to explore the alien landscape and wished they could land for a little while so she could go for a look round, but she guessed she’d get the chance to do that once she’d settled in.
As it was the dark smudge that was Raven Roost was getting rapidly bigger. Turning away from the valley she now focused on their destination. The city rose up from the valley floor, a grandiose monolith of dazzling platinum stretching upwards for thousands of feet.
Like everything else about the Zodians, it was sleek and elegant, girdled at the bottom by circular flying buttresses bristling with rectangular structures that Leos said were the habitation nests where the ordinary people lived.
Moving upwards, the nests gave way to wide courtyards and covered walkways that jutted from the main body of the building and connected to vast platforms where palatial residences stood proudly.
Further up, the monolith became more streamlined and culminated with the statue of a huge stylised bird with its wings extended and its claws clutching the city like it was a perch. On the birds’ back was a colossal egg shaped structure that was more glass than metal.
“That’s the royal palace of my brother,” Leos said. “There’s a landing pad just below it.”
“Your brother’s palace?” Kayla said, giving him a curious look. “Don’t you live there too?”
Leos narrowed his eyes. “I grew up there,” he said carefully. “But it was never really my home.”
He didn’t elaborate and stared straight ahead. Kayla decided not to press him. She had enough of her own secrets, let him keep his.
As they came into land, she started feeling nervous again. She realised she had no idea how to behave around Zodian royalty. Was there some kind of protocol she had to follow, and if so what the hell was it?
Leos hadn’t said anything and it was obvious that he was pretty easy going and ordinary, but she had a feeling he was the exception to the rule. His brother and those who surrounded him might be very different.
The ship came down toward the pad, and glided into a covered hangar. The floor vibrated beneath her feet as they landed.
Leos gave her hand a squeeze. “Come on then, let’s go see my brother.”
As they disembarked from the ship, a small group of Zodians came across the hangar floor to meet them. They wore long flowing robes richly embroidered and studded with jewels, except for the apparent leader of the group.
He was a hulking brute of a man in a dark grey uniform. His face was stern and dark red feathers sprouted from his cheeks and ran along his jaw, as well as covering his large hands.
As the large man bore down on them, Leos grinned and went to meet him. Kayla noted that he’d let g
o of her hand before the welcoming committee had got close enough to notice.
“Virgon,” Leos said, raising his hand in greeting. “You old crow, as ugly as ever I see.”
“My prince,” Virgon said in a gravelly voice and giving the younger Zodian a low bow. “I see your time on Earth has done nothing to improve your terrible manners.”
“If you mean that I still have no patience for sycophants and backstabbers, then you’re right,” Leos drawled, and the two men shared an affectionate embrace.
When they parted, Leos beckoned Kayla over. “Kayla, let me introduce Virgon, the Raven King’s personal bodyguard and the most honest person you’ll ever meet on Zodia. As a consequence he is also one of the dullest men you’ll ever meet on Zodia.”
“Pleased to me you,” Kayla said shyly, looking up at the big man and trying not to stare too much at his feathers. She knew some Zodians were born with some feathers, a throwback from their avian ancestors, but had never seen them growing in such prodigious abundance as they were on Virgon.
“My Lady,” Virgon said gruffly, giving her another deep bow. When he straightened again he turned his attention back to Leos. “We should be on our way, the King is waiting.”
“How is Geminus?” Leos asked as they followed the huge man across the hangar, the rest of the welcoming committee following along like nervous sheep.
Virgon shrugged his mountainous shoulders. “He still lives.”
“That is grave news,” Leos drawled, giving Kayla a sly wink. She shot him a bemused look.
They ascended further into the egg shaped palace, moving along wide passages made of glass walls that were decorated with silver filigree patterns.
Royal Protector: Battle Of Love (Celestial Mates Book 8) Page 3
