Pride and care in personal appearance was not something the Zumagala seemed to bother with. All the guards had matted silver hair with various lengths of braids protruding from the mass. Colorful beads decorated the ends of each one. Their foreheads were wide and flat, with large, bushy eyebrows. Their eyes were black as night and small.
All of the Zumagala warriors bent down on one knee as another male came out of the vessel and looked around.
Ranuit Pi.
Through years of fighting, Ranuit Pi had earned the respect of those under him and this was their world’s way of showing it.
Taio waited patiently for the warrior who would bond with his innocent sister to descend the ramp.
Ranuit Pi displayed all the characteristics Taio had expected of a warring leader. He walked with his chest out and head held high. He had more braids and beads than the other warriors, probably signifying his wealth.
His warriors had stepped to the side, one half to the right and the other half to the left, leaving a path for Ranuit Pi. He walked through and stopped in front of the royal party.
Taio dipped his head. “King Taio Xochis.”
Ranuit Pi puffed out his chest. “Lord Ranuit Pi of Syntorian. Home of the Zumagala.”
King Xochis stepped forward. “Ranuit Pi, welcome to Prince Taio’s little moon.” He chuckled. “It isn’t much, but he is quite proud of it.”
Taio clenched his fists, resisting the urge to send his father flying across the transport bay. He let his lips form a tight smile. “Don’t let King Xochis give you the wrong assumption of Sonis. It could prove…dangerous.”
Ranuit Pi looked from Taio to his father before he broke into laughter. “I wouldn’t have it any other way!”
His warriors rose and roared. Each beat their chest, as if expecting a rousing fight to commence on the ramp.
“My warriors have fought for a place on my transporter. They anticipated the opportunity to spar with the Sonis royal guards.”
Taio could feel the anticipation coming from his guards. “I’m sure that can be arranged. My guards wouldn’t want to disappoint.”
More roars erupted from the warriors.
“Lively bunch,” Eva said under her breath.
Ranuit Pi looked around. “Where is my promised mate?” His eyes locked on Jess. “Is that her?” He nodded in satisfaction. “She will do.”
Rasha grabbed Jess by the waist. “She is mine,” he said in warning.
Ranuit Pi looked over to Eva and Mazel, pointing to the latter. “I’ll take her.” He motioned his hand toward Eva. “You may throw in the smaller one for fun.”
Taio reached behind his back to unsheathe his jango. Eva placed a hand on his, stopping him.
“Your mate is not present,” King Xochis said. “Princess Saia is readying herself for the celebration this sundown. None of the females present are worthy of a warrior of your status.”
Taio turned to his father. “You will not disrespect my mate,” he threatened.
“Really, Taio, I don’t mind in this case.” Then Eva muttered so only he could hear, “God knows I don’t want to be a worthy mate for this guy.”
“I’m not concerned with her status, only the amount of trained royal guards that come with her,” Ranuit Pi responded. He looked at his own guards and smiled. “And how her mouth and pussy will feel on my cock. That concerns me too.”
Without a second thought, Taio unsheathed his jango. “And you will not disrespect my sister.”
“This is ludicrous!” King Xochis roared. “Taio, has this world taken all civility from you? You will not shame me!”
Taio ignored his father’s ranting and watched Ranuit Pi. If he made a hostile move, Taio expected he would do more than shame his father. Ranuit Pi would go down and so would his entourage.
“King Xochis, anyone who disrespects royal blood is not worthy, especially if that royal blood pumps through the veins of my sister,” Taio said.
“Weapons down!” King Xochis yelled.
Everyone’s weapons remained poised and at the ready.
“King Xochis, this is not Drazlan. My warriors listen to me and me only,” Taio ground out.
King Xochis glared at Ranuit Pi. “Knowing my son, if you pursue this fight, neither you nor your warriors will leave this moon alive. He is particularly fond of his sister.” King Xochis cut his glare toward Taio. “He still does not understand the nature of alliances.”
Ranuit Pi narrowed his eyes. “I was promised an alliance and royal guards. I will not be dishonored. The Galactic Council will see that our contract is fulfilled.”
King Xochis bristled at the mention of the Galactic Council. “There is no need to get the Galactic Council involved. Our contract will be honored. Lower your weapons.”
Ranuit Pi nodded in the royal guards’ direction. “Them first.”
“Never,” Taio ground out.
“Ranuit Pi, as head royal guard and second-in-command, I assure you that no harm will come to you or your warriors if your weapons are lowered,” Rasha said.
After a moment’s thought, Ranuit Pi signaled his warriors. They reluctantly lowered their weapons. Rasha signaled the royal guards to lower their own. When they did, Taio grunted, signifying that he didn’t plan to stand down anytime soon.
“Taio, please,” Eva said.
“King Taio,” Rasha said. “If you lower your weapon, we can show our guests to their rooms and ready for the celebration this evening.”
Taio didn’t want to lower his weapon. What he wanted was to put his jango through Ranuit Pi’s belly and then turn his weapon on King Xochis for contracting Saia to such a creature. But what he couldn’t do was bring war to Sonis, which would be the end result if he killed the Zumagala ruler.
He let out a long breath and sheathed his jango. The mood in the transport bay instantly lifted, no longer the heavy weight of impending battle.
“When do we eat?” Ranuit Pi asked, slapping his stomach.
“There’s nothing like the threat of death to make one hungry,” Rasha muttered.
Chapter Fourteen
As Saia approached the grand room, her anxiety escalated to an almost unbearable level. Escorting her on the right was her mother and on the left, Olo.
While her mother held her hand during the journey and offered light, reassuring squeezes, Olo gripped her elbow as if he thought she might run away. Once during the trip she tried to pull out of his grasp. He dug his fingers in to the bone, pinching a nerve. Pin-like prickles traveled down her hand to her fingertips.
Olo pulled her closer as they approached the door to the grand room. “I trust you know the repercussions for causing embarrassment to my family name?” His eyes were filled with the promise of pain.
She cringed as a slow smile crept across his thin lips. “I won’t embarrass you, my king.”
“Good.” He released her arm. Saia took a step away and almost fell into Fainia’s arms.
As the guards opened the doors, the noise from the music and attendants came barreling out.
“Wonderful,” Olo said to himself. He turned to her and said, “Smile, Saia, you are about to meet your new mate.” With a gleam in his eyes, he stepped into the room.
Her body shook with the idea of meeting Ranuit Pi. Olo was too happy. That could mean only one thing.
Ranuit Pi was indeed the heathen Olo thought he was.
“Hold your head high,” Fainia said. “No matter what, you are a princess. No one can break your spirit.”
Despite the crushing feeling in her chest, she did as instructed. She would follow Olo’s command, but her spirit would always love another.
As her mother’s name was announced, she released Saia’s hand and walked, back straight, through the double doors.
“Be strong, my child,” Aria said behind her.
“I will,” she whispered.
“Princess Saia Xochis of Drazlan, contracted mate to Lord Ranuit Pi of Syntorian,” the announcer proclaimed.
&n
bsp; She took a deep breath and squared her shoulders. Saia walked through the doors. The applause that met her fell on deaf ears. She scanned the crowd. Taio and Eva stood together with Rasha and Jess. Her mother and father stood to one side, waiting for her to cross the room and join them.
But there was only one person she wished to see.
Where is Justin?
In the crowd of onlookers, she spotted a rustle. Justin made his way to the front. Her eyes locked with his and her heart sang. Her body shook with restraint. Her mind screamed to run into his arms, where it was safe. If he’d held them out, she would have. Without question.
She walked gracefully to her parents, but she couldn’t stop from looking at Justin. He didn’t smile or offer any form of visible encouragement, but his presence spoke volumes. She was not alone—yet.
When Saia reached her parents, Olo grabbed her and brought her closer. “If you so much as look at that human again, I will have him killed this very night.” He smiled and looked around the room, acknowledging the applause.
Her vision clouded as tears formed in her eyes.
“Shed a tear for him and I’ll personally shed his blood,” he promised as his fingers bit painfully into her arm. Satisfied that she understood his threat, he released his grip.
Her mother pulled her into a hug. “You must remain strong if you want him to live,” she whispered frantically against Saia’s ear.
Saia blinked back the tears. She pulled away from her mother and smiled, raising a hand and waving to the crowd. Shouts and jeers coming from one corner of the room caught her attention. The Zumagala stood in a semicircle. Their dark-leather outfits were thick and adorned with various metals and furs. Facial hair obscured the features of their noses, cheeks and mouths. Their physiques were pure muscle and told of lives dedicated to training.
Her attention focused on the male the others congratulated with slaps on the back.
No.
He was not handsome.
He did not appear nice.
He was not her mate.
The male stepped forward and the crowd grew still. This would seal her fate. He had the right to reject the open proclamation of their bonding or he could accept it.
She held her breath.
“I am Ranuit Pi—and Saia Xochis will become my mate.”
The crowd erupted again. Her vision swam. Her heart threatened to explode from her chest. Her knees knocked together.
I need Justin.
On impulse she looked for him, only to find her mother stood in the way, blocking her view. Her mother shook her head slowly. She could not look at Justin again.
Doing so would ensure his death.
Saia turned back to Ranuit Pi and smiled. She nodded once to indicate her understanding. He had publicly claimed her, she was his.
Forever.
JB watched as Saia acknowledged her new mate. His heart fell to his stomach. Ranuit Pi was worse than he ever imagined.
He stepped back into the crowd. He shouldn’t have shown himself to her when she entered. He should have remained in the back of the room and watched her, but he couldn’t stay away. He had planned to watch her from afar, but as she scanned the crowd, he knew she was looking for just one person—him. His heart felt the pull of hers.
Saia looked alone and lost. He wanted to defy the promise of death and go to her. Gather her in his arms and leave. Take her somewhere safe, where eyes wouldn’t watch her every move.
No matter who she was bound to, she was his, as he was hers.
It had taken all of his resolve to watch and not do what his heart screamed for him to do. She couldn’t go anywhere with that beast.
He flicked his attention to Taio. Eva held on to his arm as though she were afraid he would bolt across the room and kill Ranuit Pi. Neither one smiled or pretended to be happy for the occasion.
Not even Taio would be able to negotiate with Ranuit Pi.
JB backed away from the crowd until his heels met the wall. He had a plan B. It would cost him his life if he was caught though.
The solution?
Don’t get caught.
“Hey,” Jess said, coming over to him. “It’s not fair is it?” She nodded toward Saia. “She’s a great girl. I hate to see her end up with someone like him.”
Saia had a fake smile on her face while she accepted congratulations from the guests.
“Me too.”
Jess settled against the wall next to him and watched as Ranuit Pi put his arm around Saia. “If there was something I could do to help her out, I wouldn’t hesitate to do it…especially if it meant helping one of my best friends too.”
“Jess, there’s nothing that can be done.”
“Uh huh,” she said.
“I’m for real. They have a plan—their only plan.”
She shrugged. “If it were me, I wouldn’t dare leave it up to one plan. Pft. Who does that?”
“They do.” He turned to look at her. He wanted to tell her everything he was thinking, but she had something good here. He couldn’t risk Jess being involved.
“So I suppose you’ll be leaving tomorrow, with Kane and Sa’Mya.”
“Sooner if they want to.”
She took a deep breath. “And when you leave, you’ll be careful.”
“Of course.”
“And you’ll take care of yourself?”
“I will.”
“You know, we won’t be able to keep in touch. Communications between Sonis and Laconia could be…dangerous.”
“I’m aware.”
She looked away, trying to hide the tears that had formed her eyes.
“You know I love you, right?”
She nodded.
He kissed her on the cheek and she closed her eyes.
“You are one crazy man,” she whispered.
“I never pretended to be sane.”
* * * * *
Every nerve in her body screamed at her to flee and not look back. The only thing that kept her rooted in her seat was the glare that came from Olo. At first she tried not to acknowledge him, but the weight of his stare made her feel more uneasy with each passing moment.
What would he do to her if she didn’t answer one of Ranuit Pi’s questions correctly? What would he do to her if he thought she was an embarrassment?
Or worse yet, what would he do to her mother?
A sprinkle of bumps erupted on her body. A fine sheen of perspiration misted her brow.
“Humph, you will make a fine mate.”
She gave Ranuit Pi a shaky smile, as she had the previous ten times he’d made this proclamation.
He had not talked much to her, but chose to speak more to King Xochis. When Taio had tried to lead him to a private area, Ranuit Pi had objected and made a scene by calling for his guards. King Xochis had known exactly what Taio was trying to do. He didn’t leave Ranuit Pi’s side after that.
She was doomed.
As the meal arrived, he dug into it without the use of utensils. He ate sloppily and without manners. She was not the only one at the table who found his eating habits disgusting. The look on Eva’s face spoke volumes.
Saia picked up her utensil and tasted the delicacy before her. The small amount of meat seemed to lodge itself in the back of her throat. It took four swallows of her wine to make it go down to her stomach, where it sat in an uncomfortable lump.
“No wonder your species has trouble bearing children. You don’t eat enough!”
Doesn’t he know? “Ranuit Pi, has my father explained that I will not be able to bear offspring?” she whispered, hoping this could be a deal breaker. “I will only be able to conceive with another Drazlonian or a human. My species has not had a successful pairing with any other.”
“There’s no need for you to bear my children. I have plenty of bastards. You will adopt them, and any that come after our bond.”
She inhaled sharply and cut her stare to King Xochis. “I’m expected to care for your children from other females?”
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He waved his hand nonchalantly. “Of course.”
“You’ll have to excuse my ignorance. I didn’t know the Zumagala had harems.”
“I don’t. I have whores.”
She clenched her eating utensil. “Will you still have use of your whores after our bonding?” So I won’t ever have to bed you?
He laughed heartily. “I am a warrior. Of course I’ll keep all of my whores.”
She sighed in relief.
“Now eat up. I’ll still try to put a child in your belly. The Zumagala are far superior to the incompetent humans.” He puffed out his chest. “If the humans can do it, so can we.”
No.
She looked around the table. The noise in the room beat against her ears. The talking and laughing were so loud that her head began to pound. The clanging of metal utensils against plates grated on her nerves. The lighting in the grand room shone too bright in her eyes. She closed them to stop the sensory overload.
Saia struggled to catch each breath she took. The smell of dirt and sweat coming from Ranuit Pi seemed to overpower her. Nauseous bile rose in her throat.
Ranuit Pi chuckled. “You are afraid of your new mate?”
“I…I apologize. I didn’t mean to offend.”
“Mmm. I didn’t know what to expect when your father agreed so readily to this union.”
His breath smelled of food and brew. She held her own as the contents in her stomach churned.
“But I am very pleased,” he added.
She shifted her gaze to her mother, who looked as though she wanted to run to Saia’s side to stop her from causing a scene and upsetting Olo more. Saia plastered a smile across her face. Her lips quivered. “I am pleased as well.”
“Of course you are! You will be the mate of a great Zumagala warrior.” He grabbed her by the waist and pulled her closer. Her body slammed against his. She gagged as his smell overpowered her.
Placing her hands on his chest, she tried to push away. Undeterred, Ranuit Pi dug his fingers into the side of her butt and squeezed.
“Ah, I like a fighter,” Ranuit Pi whispered, his breath singeing the hairs in her nose. “I only hope that my warriors won’t fuck all the fight out of you.”
Dangerously His: 4 (Loving Dangerously) Page 13
