Celestial Mates Complete Series Box Set (Books 1-5) (Alien SciFi Romance)

by C. J. Scarlett

  Maiko felt like she’d been slapped in the face and was too stunned to respond.

  He reached out, circling his muscular arms around her waist, jerking her swiftly against his body. “The problem is, I see right through all the walls you build, little dancer. I see the look on your face when you see your friends with their mates. You crave the satisfaction and pleasure a relationship with a male can bring. However, you are too afraid to reach out and take what you want. It pains me to see someone so strong, and beautiful, and smart wasting her opportunity at greatness.”

  “You’ve got me all wrong. I’m nothing like you describe.”

  “You want me.”

  “I really don’t.”

  “Then why does your beautiful body tremble beneath my touch?” Sliding one hand up to cup her face, he whispered. “Prove me wrong. Accept one kiss, if you dare.”

  Every warning bell in her head went off in rapid succession. He affected her in ways she couldn’t understand. A little voice in her head screamed for her to run, so that’s exactly what she did. Taking a step back, she slipped from his embrace.

  “I wish to have at least fifty unbroken shells, the larger the better. Thank you for volunteering to help us find them.”

  An evil smile spread over his face. “Run away, my little dancer. Just don’t be surprised if you find me following one day.”

  “I’ll send over a couple of assistants. My women can be very accommodating.”

  “Send whoever you like. I’m only interested in you.”

  Something about the emphasis he placed on the last word triggered her flight response. Turning, she ran back to her brother and friends as fast as her feet would carry her. Her facial expression must have given away her panic because Mamoru stood and they continued walking quickly up the beach.

  He had a small bag filled with some type of wood chips. As they walked, he tossed small handfuls onto the ground. The tiny dragons swooped down and gobbled them up.

  “Did he threaten you?”

  “No, he analyzed me. I didn’t like it.”

  “Want to talk about it?”

  “Not really. Maybe. No, definitely not.”

  “Decisive, as always, I see.”

  Mamoru’s teasing tone helped her relax. “The imperial prince thinks we’re both running from responsibility.”

  “That’s not exactly headline news, Maiko.”

  Glancing up at his stern face, she explained. “He thinks I act immature and hide behind my glasses and earbuds to keep men away.”

  “Sounds like a valid observation. What do you think?”

  “Maybe, he is right about some of it. I like being your sister a little too much. It’s easy to just drift along in your slipstream, letting you do all the heavy lifting. I can see how having to worry about me all the time holds you back from living your own life.”

  “I’m mating the imperial princess.”

  Stunned, she responded before she spoke. “You mean the crazy one?”

  “She’s no crazier than you or I. Lalona’s sorry she shoved you, by the way. She was wound up because they wouldn’t let her attend the greeting. For whatever reason, she gets marginalized a lot.”

  “Don’t we all?” Maiko realized she was grumbling but thought it was still a valid point.

  “What do you plan to do about the prince’s keen observation?”

  Maiko wrapped her arms around her stomach. “I don’t know. I think I should get my vision corrected.”

  “That’s a good start.”

  “I guess I got comfortable with all the mannerisms associated with wearing glasses and these stupid earbuds. It was part of what made me feel like me. Jesus, it doesn’t make any sense when I say it aloud.”

  “It makes more sense than you know. It is how I perceive my katana. Without it, I feel naked. As far as weapons go, it’s obsolete. Yet, I cannot let it go.”

  “Your katana has real purpose. If you hadn’t been wearing it the day we were attacked, we would both be dead. My glasses are an unnecessary distraction I use to keep people looking at everything but me.”

  The wind kicked up and Mamoru wrapped an arm around her. “You are my sister and I will always love you. I tell you this out of love for you. It is time for you to embrace your destiny. Pay no attention to the course others have set for you. Seek instead the path best suiting your own needs and desires.”

  CHAPTER 9

  ~ ORACHA ~

  MAIKO MUSIC MIX SONG NINE

  “You have got to be kidding me. He holds her like she was his own child. See how he strokes her hair. How is any male supposed to compete with such a bond?”

  The older warrior responded with genuine wisdom. “You must see their bond is strong. I believe he encourages her to take flight.”

  Watching them break apart and chase newly hatched dragons cheered him somewhat. “I do not think she wants a mate, Trajon. She seems contented with her lot in life.”

  “I saw her in your arms, my prince. You almost brought the woman in her right there standing on the beach for all to see. Stirring such strong emotions can be terrifying for a female. Give her time.”

  Smiling at the white-haired warrior, he thought there could be truth to his words. “Since I am without hope of succession, I have nothing but endless time on my hands.”

  “Perhaps you should look to establishing your own kingdom, my prince. There is something to be said for making your own way. The gods know, we have enough clanless to start a new military, should you select a new planet to rule.”

  “My uncle broke with the imperial house and created an alliance with two other species. They share equal partnership in the rule of Sylon. With the power of two strong allies, none can stand against them.”

  The older man responded thoughtfully. “I think you are a strong, fair, and competent leader. I do not think you are meant to be an imperial ruler. You are less elegant than your brother and more impulsive and courageous.”

  He had to smile at the old man’s characterization of his personality. It was probably all true. He had long thought along those lines himself.

  Lord Chalon approached. “You two seem to be having an animated conversation. Are you discussing your little dancer?”

  Grinning, he shook his head. “We were discussing the feasibility of me starting my own home world.”

  Chalon frowned. “You have a home world. We are waiting for you to sit up and pay attention to ruling it.”

  “Ouch. You know how to kick a male when he is down.”

  Sighing, Chalon crossed his arms over his chest. “You are meant to be the ruler of worlds. Today, you have been tasked with collecting shells like a child.”

  The man took a step back and his hand went to his ear. When he spoke again, it was with grim determination. “You know I have nothing but respect for you, but I believe it is now time for you to step into your destiny.”

  The grin fell from Oracha’s face. “What’s going on? You’ve been pretty easygoing up until this point.”

  “Your mother and uncle from Dako Province have come to the palace. They demand to know why you and your brother sojourn here when there is much work to be done at the palace.”

  “I am pulled from the order of succession and can be of little help in the affairs of state. My father has advisors at his side. They are wiser and smarter than I. You worry for no reason. He will send them on their way.”

  Chalon stepped forward. “Something is wrong. I know not what it is, but my instincts tell me there is some foul evil afoot.”

  “You talk like an old man.”

  “We are in danger. The imperial father is calling you home. I am commanded to deliver you and instructed to bring my clan in its entirety as well.”

  Jumping to his feet, Chalon saw the questioning look on his face.

  Motioning to the com device in his ear, he spoke. “The message came through, as we have been speaking. The day is tarnished. We must make for the palace right away, my prince.”

 
“If I am thrust back into the politics of court, I would have you at my side.”

  “Your wish is my command, my prince.”

  Turning to the older warrior, he spoke one last time. “Trajon, I would have you as my first. What say you to an imperial decree?”

  “I am with you to the end, sir.”

  “Then let us explore this danger Chalon senses. We will see if it is real or some fabricated invention to draw me back to the palace.”

  Strolling into the imperial palace as the sun set, Oracha had a small army at his back. His father stood from the royal throne. Before either of them could speak, his mother flew, screeching at him. A quick motion of his hand sent Mamoru stepping forward. When she saw the rope in his hand, she stopped in her tracks. Oracha’s skin crawled with a hundred little scars left by her nails when she was in a fit of rage. Looking at his father’s dark expression, he knew today they had no time for her outlandish antics.

  Lord Rold stepped forward from his lovely human mate’s side and spoke to his father. “Take my mother and settle her in her old quarters. Ensure she stays there, under penalty of death. Our world is in crisis. We have no time to waste on displays of whimsy today.”

  The venerable warrior pulled her along, kicking and screaming. Maiko’s eyes were huge as the angry female was removed from court.

  Ora spoke again. “Father, what crisis does our world face today?”

  “Our scouts have discovered an anomaly in the far reaches of the eastern border of the empire.”

  “What kind of anomaly?”

  His father and brother moved down from the throne. Walking to a makeshift military planning table in the middle of the room, he motioned to a holographic display. Sure enough, there was a simulation of the eastern border of their territory.

  His father spoke quietly. “There is something moving slowly towards us. Whatever it is, it is massive. We do know it blocks out our view of the stars as it moves.”

  “Dark matter?”

  “Our scans cannot make such a determination. It does not emit or reflect electromagnetic radiation, thus making it invisible to both our scans and the naked eye. We’ve sent scout ships but none have returned.”

  “How long until they reach our world?”

  “Unless they pick up speed, our calculations put it at seven solar cycles.”

  “You wish for me to initiate first contact?”

  “I pray you never come into contact with the mysterious anomaly.”

  “Someone will have to intercept it.”

  Lord Rold spoke. “I am well versed in military tactics.”

  Ora’s fury rose like a great tidal wave. “And I suppose you feel that you have the added advantage of being expendable.”

  Nodding slightly, the other man did not dare speak. His female stepped closer and wrapped her arm through his, clearly unhappy with him volunteering himself.

  Ora opened his mouth to speak, the fury welling in his soul, but stopped, thinking better of it. Turning to his father, he eyed the man suspiciously. “I am of age to inherit. You are still well enough to mentor me in affairs of state. I am either expendable enough to risk my life on a first-contact scenario or I am important enough to be awarded my birthright.”

  “I would not risk either of you.”

  “Still, you must see mentoring your successor through a crisis like this would ensure they are ready for anything the verse might throw at him. Your tenure is coming to an end soon. You will get no better opportunity than this.”

  The old man responded sharply, “You are not ready, my son.”

  “War makes a child a man. How many times have you spoken those words to me, Father?”

  The emperor didn’t respond.

  Oracha reached out and grabbed his father’s shoulder. Giving him a slight shake, he spoke softly. “The time for hard choices is upon us, Father.”

  Taking his amulet from around his neck, he held it out with a trembling hand. “I award you the leadership of the Krylon home world as well as the planets under our rule. All that was awarded to me in my coming of age, I now bestow upon you, as my one and only heir.”

  His eyes gleamed with excitement as he gingerly took the ancient amulet from his father’s hand. Pivoting on his heel, he draped the sacred amulet around his brother’s neck. “I appoint you temporary regent in my stead.”

  Turning to the generals, he commanded. “Put every planet on high alert, and call every reservist we have up for active duty. Pull all our ships to the eastern border, leaving the reservists in orbit around each planet in our empire. I will board the flagship within the hour. Shove all information on the anomaly to my data stream.”

  Turning to his shocked father, he murmured. “This is what putting my people first looks like. No one will ever doubt my ability to lead again after this day. If I do not return, know I gave my life willingly.”

  “I’m coming as well.” The small female voice sparked his anger.

  “The hell you are.”

  Maiko stepped in front of him. “You once told me to grow up and pick a destiny. That’s exactly what I’m doing.”

  Pulling her forward, he held her close. “If you want me, you must wait for my safe return. It is the way of my people.”

  “I’m coming with you and that’s final.”

  Cupping her face with his hand, he turned it up to look into her dark eyes. “We had our day in the sunshine, princess. Now I must face the darkness. The thrill of the hunt calls to me, for my people are natural-born warriors. Be here when I return and I will accept you into my heart and into my bed.”

  Huffing out an exasperated breath, she responded primly. “Don’t flatter yourself, Prince Oracha. I’m interested in the anomaly, not becoming your bed partner. It is similar to one described in the ancient lore of several planets in the area. I don’t believe it is coming to attack. I refuse to allow you to murder an innocent life form simply out of ignorance.”

  Releasing her, he stepped back. As he stared at her, his anger dissolved. “Your argument has merit, little dancer. I will take it under advisement but you are going nowhere near the anomaly.”

  Adjusting her glasses, she murmured. “We’ll see about that.”

  As he left the room, Chalon and Mamoru were at his back. They would be victorious, either by defeating it in battle or making peace with it through diplomacy. Oracha had no doubt about the eventual outcome of the battle. As he left, he heard his father query.

  “Why does my son call you a little dancer?”

  She responded distractedly. “It’s what my name means in Japanese.”

  Smiling to himself, he thought about how the female felt in his arms. She liked him a damn lot more than she admitted. Her body gave her away every single time he touched her.

  CHAPTER 10

  ~ MAIKO ~

  MAIKO MUSIC MIX SONG TEN

  Rold’s female paced back and forth. “You cannot go. I will hear no more on the subject. Rold has sworn to protect you. Your prince would lose his mind if anything happened to you.”

  “Well, those two princes don’t rule my world.” The moment the words came out of her mouth, she laughed. Technically, they did rule their world.

  Jen tried to soothe her with some no-nonsense tough love. “Whatever you’ve been finding in those ancient texts has been freaking you the hell out. You’ve been at it for weeks. I know you’re worried over your brother and the prince, but you gotta quit reading that stuff.”

  Rose chimed in. “I used to watch scary movies when I was kid. They’d give me quite a fright. It got so bad I couldn’t even sleep at night. Jen’s right, stop before you give yourself a nervous breakdown.”

  Her two dear friends had no idea the magnitude of the danger they were in. With both of them about to give birth any day, she’d not risk telling them either. She’d spent the better part of the last month researching ancient myth surrounding the darkness. What she learned led her to believe her brother and the prince would soon be swallowed if she didn�
�t take action. All reports from the front were negative. Nothing they did to communicate with the anomaly worked. It was still slowly moving towards them, sucking in everything in its path.

  “You’re all right. I’ll focus on improving myself. I’ve already traded in my earbuds for a nice multi-function ear clip. I’m ready to get rid of the glasses. When the prince returns, he’ll be thrilled with what he sees.”

  “That’s an outstanding idea.” Rold’s female wasn’t the sharpest tool in the shed by any stretch of the imagination or she’d never think that Maiko would submit so easily.

  Turning to Rose and Jen, she stated politely. “Do you think I could get a ride to one of those clone ships to get my vision corrected? We have a couple stationed in orbit to support the reservists.”

  Rose’s voice evidenced her suspicion. “I don’t know if that’s such a hot idea.”

  Jen cut in brazenly. “Sure it is. Maiko’s her own person. She has the right to do whatever she wants with her life. I, for one, am not interested in shoving her back into the box. She can’t sit around worrying herself sick every single day. Out of the three of us, she’s the only one in any kind of condition to enjoy a little adventure.”

  Rose rubbed her huge belly. “You’re right about that. I feel like a big spider. I’m all belly with scrawny little legs.”

  “You both look beautiful. I wish Lord Rold and I were expecting. God, I hope we don’t get stuck ruling this world. I want him all to myself.” The beautiful singer lamented not having his undivided attention.

  Maiko rolled her eyes. The woman was so starry eyed in love with Rold it wasn’t funny. He was a great guy, there was no doubt about that, but the woman worshiped him like a god, a sex god, to be exact.