Dangerously His: 4 (Loving Dangerously)

by A. M. Griffin

  Saia didn’t try to join in the conversation her mother held with Taio and Eva. Both females had an arm looped through Taio’s. The trio walked in front her, Milin and Aria walked by her side.

  While her mother talked about how much Josanis had grown since the last time she’d seen him and how he resembled Taio when he was that age, Saia tried not to think about her own life, and the changes that would happen sooner rather than later.

  Would Ranuit Pi treat her better than her father did?

  The information she’d found on the Zumagala had been very limited. Their wars had been outlined in great details, but everyday life was not discussed in the research files. The current war had been going on for so long, the Zumagala had turned into very secretive beings.

  Who was she to judge? Under their warring nature could be a species of fun-loving farmers or artisans.

  She groaned.

  Wishful thinking, since all their pictures showed imposing males garbed in thick clothing laden with various weapons.

  “Is something the matter?” Milin asked.

  Saia smiled. “No, no, Milin. Everything is as it should be.”

  Milin lowered her head. “I want you to know that as your aide, I am available to talk whenever you need me. You can trust me.”

  “I know.”

  She and Milin had not been together long. Milin became her personal aide, as customary, with the announcement of her bonding contract. From that moment on, she and Milin were supposed to be inseparable, like Aria and her mother.

  There was nothing lacking in her aide’s company. That was, when Milin wasn’t whimpering about Saia’s upcoming bonding ceremony. Unfortunately for Milin she had accepted the position of personal aide without getting the full details on who Saia was bonding with, and where they would live.

  Olo hadn’t been forthcoming with the information before posting the position and interviewing the candidates. Milin didn’t want to go anywhere near Ranuit Pi or the other Zumagala. Saia didn’t blame her. Milin had expected to go somewhere more befitting a daughter of an important king.

  If there had been a way to leave her new aide on Drazlan and terminate her employment, Saia would have. To do so now would only disgrace Milin and her family. So, teary-eyed, Milin tried to be brave and continued to do her duties, even though Saia knew she wanted to run and hide at the first opportunity.

  As they entered the bustling dining hall, Saia followed Taio to the private raised tables intended for the royal family, advisors and guests. Aria and Milin veered away and continued to the regular seating.

  Saia sighed. Just once she would like to sit somewhere other than the royal tables. Then she would be able to hear the conversations of the commoners. Maybe they would talk of their travels to different worlds and different galaxies. She would revel in each word, try to imagine every small detail they described.

  What was the use of being surrounded by species from different worlds without being able to learn about where they came from, their planets, cultures and species? They would be able to give her information about the universe that couldn’t be found in the research files.

  As they approached the tables, she looked longingly at Lo’Ren, Eva’s pink friend, who sat at a table in front of the performance arena. Lo’Ren was from a mining colony on Briel, which captivated Saia because it was on an asteroid belt. Lo’Ren had explained Briel to her in complete detail, but Saia longed to hear more. As she watched her mother ascend the two steps, she knew speaking with Lo’Ren would have to wait until another time. Her mother would never let her sit anywhere else but the royal tables.

  Upon seeing them approach, Rasha stood and came forward. “Queen Xochis, you are as lovely as ever.” He kissed both of her cheeks. Rasha approached her next. “Beautiful Saia.”

  She returned his strong embrace. Rasha was Taio’s best friend and Saia trusted him with her life. “It’s nice to see you again.”

  A tall human female approached his side. He pulled away and held an arm out to the female. “Saia, Queen Xochis, this is Jessica, my mate.”

  Jessica stepped forward and held out her hand. Both Saia and her mother looked at it. It seemed to be a normal-sized hand, free of jewelry. “You have a very nice hand,” Saia said.

  Jessica blushed and looked at Rasha.

  “Mother, the humans clasp hands together in greeting,” Taio said.

  “Really?” her mother remarked.

  Saia looked at Jessica’s hand again and shrugged. Then she extended hers. Jessica smiled and stepped forward to grab it. Once in her palm, she pumped it up and down.

  “Nice to meet you. You can call me Jess,” she said.

  “Likewise,” Saia replied. “Here, Mother, you try.”

  Her mother held out her hand and let Jess shake it. “What an odd little practice.”

  “We are learning more about the humans every day.” Taio pulled out a chair and indicated for his mother to sit, while Rasha pulled out Saia’s chair.

  “This is nice,” her mother said as Taio pushed her closer to the table.

  As Taio and Rasha did the same for Eva and Jess, Saia let her eyes wander around the room. She recognized many of the different species, some she had met and a few she had read about. She really wanted to meet someone new. Someone who could tell her something about the universe she didn’t already know.

  There has to be someone interesting here.

  JB looked toward the door as everyone else did. Taio stood at the entrance, with Eva on one arm and a taller female who looked just like him on the other. He waited as everyone rose to their feet.

  “That’s his mother, Queen Fainia Xochis of Drazlan,” Lo’Ren said from the seat next to him. “It’s customary for you to stand when she enters the room.”

  “I’ve already pissed him off today, no need to do it again if it’s not totally necessary.” JB stood.

  Taio proceeded through the door, followed by three other females. JB immediately found himself staring at one in particular.

  Her head was cast down slightly, her face obscured by waves and waves of jet-black hair that brushed the swell of her round butt. She wore a pale-purple formfitting dress. The floor-length gown had designs made of colored crystals. Her skin was the same color as Taio’s, but different. It seemed to glow. Her build was tall and slender with a hint of curves where they were needed most.

  She turned her head.

  He caught his breath.

  Beautiful.

  As her lavender eyes locked on Lo’Ren, he willed her to look his way. Her features were sharp and foreign, but beautiful in every way. Her cheekbones were high and defined. Her lips were full and pink. She had a look of longing in her eyes and he wanted to know why.

  No, he needed to know why.

  Was she upset?

  Who had taken the joy away from such a perfect female?

  Look at me. I want to know you.

  “Uh, unless you’re inviting Taio to kill you, I would sit down,” Lo’Ren said, tugging on his sleeve.

  He glanced around to find he was the only one still standing. JB sat but kept his eyes on the female across the room. “Why would he kill me? She’s not human.”

  “She’s his younger sister, Princess Saia.” Lo’Ren popped a piece of meat in her mouth and chewed. “Look the other way, human.”

  That information alone should have been enough to make him turn his head and focus his attention on something else, but he couldn’t.

  Princess Saia.

  Rasha grabbed Saia in a bear hug and lifted her from her feet. JB watched, waiting for her to turn his way. His heart thumped. He wanted to go to her, meet her.

  She was his.

  He shook his head, trying to dislodge the misplaced thought.

  Where the hell did that come from?

  Then she turned toward him. Their eyes met.

  And there it was.

  His heart felt as though it were seized in a tight fist then dropped to the pit of his stomach.

  �
��This is where you take my advice before you get into trouble.”

  “She’s looking at me,” he whispered.

  Every nerve in his body sprang to life. Her eyes were framed in the heaviest lashes he’d ever seen. And when she blinked, they looked like wings of butterflies.

  He sighed and felt as if his body had melted into the chair.

  Lo’Ren groaned. “Taio will kill you.”

  “I don’t care.” He couldn’t drag his gaze away. A small smile graced beautiful full lips. Lips he wanted to claim for his own. From the side, her face had appeared long, but no, it was round and soft. Her nose was perky and petite. “Princess Saia,” JB said breathlessly.

  Lo’Ren shook her head. “I shouldn’t have told you her name. I don’t want any part of this.”

  “I would have found out anyway.” Nothing could have stopped him from knowing her name.

  Lo’Ren blew out a heavy breath. “Did I mention that she’s Taio’s only sister?”

  “How old is she?”

  “Nineteen birth cycles.” She frowned. “I think.”

  JB whistled low. “She’s practically jailbait.”

  “What’s jailbait?”

  He shook his head and groaned. “Something bad.” He straightened and snapped his fingers. “Wait, Eva claims she’s twenty-two. She said something about how slow Sonis rotates. Does that count for Drazlan too?”

  Lo’Ren shrugged. “I don’t know. I’ve never lived on Drazlan.”

  “It doesn’t matter. She’s legal in my mind.”

  Lo’Ren held up a hand. She pointed to a finger and said, “She’s Taio’s little sister.” Then she pointed to another. “You said she’s jailbait—which according to you is bad.” And she wiggled the third finger. “She’s also contracted to bond with Lord Ranuit Pi of the Zumagala Nation.”

  “She’s getting married?” His heart seemed to twist, screaming its displeasure.

  “She’s contracted, yes. That’s what all the planning is for, or have you been too buried between female legs to even notice that the palace is readying for an engagement party?”

  He slumped back in his chair. Eva had told him about the engagement party for Taio’s younger sister. But he hadn’t really cared—not then, anyway.

  “So you see? There are a number of reasons why you should stay as far away from her as possible.”

  But she’s so beautiful.

  She didn’t turn away. She appeared to be just as enthralled with him as he was with her. He wouldn’t be the first to break their eye contact. She tilted her head in thought.

  “Look away now, JB. I’m warning you. It won’t end in your favor.”

  I can’t.

  “Oh Jesus.”

  If it weren’t for the tone in Jess’ voice, Saia wouldn’t have been pulled from watching the human male across the room.

  Jess placed a hand across her eyes and shook her head slowly.

  “Pardon me?”

  Jess groaned. “Please, please look at something else.”

  Saia let her gaze go back to the male. His black hair was cut short. His blue eyes were framed with an abundance of dark lashes. Light seemed to dance in his eyes as he smiled in her direction.

  Is he smiling at me?

  She took a quick peek left, then right

  He’s smiling at me!

  Her heart leapt for joy. His graceful smile was only for her. She giggled and placed a hand over her mouth.

  “He won’t be satisfied until he’s dead,” Jess muttered.

  She turned to Jess. “What are you talking about?”

  Jess watched the male across the room as well. But instead of smiling, she made a slow motion across her neck with a finger. “I’m referring to the slow death he’s sure to get if he keeps flirting with you.”

  Flirting?

  She turned back to the male. No one had ever flirted with her. She smiled again.

  “Good gracious, don’t encourage him!”

  “Do you know him?”

  “Unfortunately, yes.” Jess rolled her eyes. “Maybe I should start saying that I knew him.”

  The lights turned low, signaling the beginning of the dinner entertainment. The voices in the dining hall became hushed. Saia strained her eyes to make out the silhouette of the human.

  Slow, rhythmic drums began to beat. Light shone from the stage door. One torch, then two, then three, until finally there were six. In the darkness, the torches zipped through the air, swung in circles, tossed and caught.

  Every now and again, she could catch a glimpse of him and found that he still watched her as well.

  Her heart seemed to thump in time with the drums. His smile had dropped but his stare was intent just the same. His gaze seemed to bore through her. Right to her soul. And she found she enjoyed it.

  She leaned over to whisper, “Tell me his name.”

  Jess shook her head. “Ignore him like I do most days and watch the show.”

  Ignore him? She couldn’t. “But I want to know his name.”

  Jess looked at her. “Listen, Princess Saia, this can’t happen.”

  “What can’t happen?”

  “You and JB. Taio would never allow it. You’re getting married and JB’s going back to Laconia. I’m trying to keep him alive at least until then.”

  Jaybee. She turned to look at him again.

  Jaybee. What a wonderful name.

  “Argh, can you at least get that dreamy look off your face?”

  “Is he a slave?”

  “No.”

  “Is he bonded?”

  “No.”

  “Can you introduce me to him?”

  “Absolutely not.”

  “Why?”

  Jess raised a brow. “Have you seen the size of your brother?”

  Jess was right. Taio was extremely protective of her. That was the very reason why she could never tell him their father had long been striking her and her mother. And she couldn’t forget that she was contracted to bond with Ranuit Pi.

  And just like that, an overwhelming sense of dread had ahold of her once again.

  There could be no flirting. No smiles from across the room as she’d heard described on many occasions from people who had fallen in love. Her fate belonged to someone else.

  The show ended and the lights came on. The Alointe tribe held the torches in their hands and bowed. Everyone, including Saia, clapped. But while everyone’s eyes were on the Alointe, she and JB watched each other.

  She finally pulled her gaze away. The direction of her life was already set for her. Olo had seen to it.

  She pushed her food around on her plate. Even as she did, she could feel his eyes on her. But she wouldn’t look up. Even if her fluttering heart wanted her to. There was no point.

  She answered questions as people around her asked them. She smiled when appropriate. But as the lights dimmed again, signaling the start of the second act, she quietly excused herself and left.

  JB strained to find her through the dimly lit hall. The Alointe twirled their torches in his line of vision. Every time he tried to look around them, another would step in his line of sight again.

  He’d spent the greater part of the meal willing her to look at him again. Instead, she’d looked everywhere but. He was desperate to know what was wrong. Her beautiful smile had become vacant, her sparkling eyes lifeless.

  The lights came on.

  She was gone.

  Her seat empty.

  His breath caught in his throat. He looked around the room frantically. She was nowhere in sight.

  As he stood, Lo’Ren tugged on his arm. “Sit down.”

  “Let me go. I have to find her.”

  But she held fast, her grip tight. “I wouldn’t be a good friend if I let you leave.”

  Chapter Seven

  “Eva, you’ve done a wonderful job.”

  Fainia turned in a tight circle, taking in all the decorations strewn from the walls and ceiling of the ballroom.

  Saia fidg
eted nervously with the stitching that ran down the side of her gown. “Yes, I love it.”

  While everyone noticed the smile she wore on her face, she was sure they didn’t see how her lips quivered. Or how she couldn’t keep her hands still. Or the beads of sweat that dripped slowly down her neck to her back.

  But she smiled on, rapidly blinking back tears, feigning interest in an event that would be the end of all her dreams. She didn’t know what she feared most, bonding with Ranuit Pi or having him refuse to bring Fainia with them after the ceremony. What if he made her mother stay behind? Fainia would have to go back to Olo, and if Saia wasn’t there to protect her and take her to the healing tanks, then what?

  Her knees knocked together. The room swam around her, darkening. She reached out, grabbing a table for support. “Oh my.” She used her free hand to wipe the mist from her forehead.

  “Saia, are you feeling ill? Do you need to rest?” Her mother snaked an arm around her waist and held her up.

  Eva ran to her other side and offered support. “Whoa, sweetie. What’s the matter? You’re shaking.”

  While her mother could probably guess what was causing the panic attack, Saia couldn’t let Eva know anything was amiss. She tried her best to smile nonchalantly. “I’m fine. I think I became overwhelmed with everything. This is all so wonderful.” She took a sweeping glance of the room. She hadn’t lied. It was beautiful, and Eva had put a lot of work into making it so.

  Females, human and Sonian alike, bustled around, putting the finishing touches on an already elaborately decorated ballroom. She hadn’t seen anything like it before.

  Saia let go of the table and stood straight. “Eva, I appreciate all you’ve done. But,” she looked around again, “what exactly is an engagement party?” Saia hadn’t thought to ask before since they were only planning the party as a way for Taio to meet with Ranuit Pi.

  Eva chuckled. “Engagement parties are an Earth tradition. We have them before the actual wedding ceremony so the bride’s and groom’s families can come together and get to know each other.” She shrugged. “There’s going to be so much activity, people talking, drinking and having a good time, that no one will be the wiser when Taio and Ranuit Pi leave for a little while.”