by Morgan Hawke
Khan nodded.
Fallon set down her glass. “When exactly is this auction I’m supposed to be in?”
Khan lifted his wine glass and examined the golden liquid within it. “The auction for upuaht rehkyt is at station sunset.”
Fallon swallowed. “Tonight?”
Khan nodded. “Tonight.”
Fallon couldn’t eat another bite.
Sobehk frowned at Fallon, then looked at Khan. “Considering the preparations both you and I have to make for tonight, I think perhaps a nice long nap may be in order.”
Khan glanced at Fallon and nodded. “I think you may be right.”
Fallon jerked in her chair. “A nap?”
Stripped nude, Fallon dropped into the bed, falling back among the white sheets and pearl-gray pillows. And proceeded to pout.
Khan snorted and pulled the midnight blue coverlet up to her chin. “You’ll be perfectly safe in here. Sobehk and I will be right across the hall.”
Fallon opened her mouth to protest that she didn’t need to sleep ...
“Isabeau.” Khan caught her chin and stared hard into her eyes. “Sleep, now.”
Bastards! Masculine chuckles accompanied the smothering darkness that washed her under a thick blanket of sleep.
* * * * *
Fallon was jarred from deep sleep. She surfaced with a gasp. What in fury ...?
Isabeau. Khan’s mental voice was loud and a touch angry.
She frowned. Yes?
I need you to dress quickly and go out into the garden. Khan was definitely angry.
Fallon got out from under the blankets and grabbed the short midnight blue robe she’d worn to dinner from the top of Sobehk’s trunk. She knotted the white sash, focused on Khan. Okay, I’m heading out.
Good. Go. There was a thread of triumph in his mental voice.
Fallon darted out and into the hall. Voices were coming from the other room. She recognized Khan and Sobehk, but there were other voices, too. Neither Sobehk nor Khan sounded pleased. Uh-oh ... She bolted for the garden.
The garden was awash in bright sun and shadows. On impulse she headed straight for the big oak. She looked up into the swaying branches. She leapt, grabbed onto a lower branch, hauled herself up, and climbed to just a bit higher than Sobehk could easily reach. On a likely and broad forked limb, she sprawled out full length.
She’s in the tree again. Sobehk’s amusement carried across the mental link.
Khan released a soft sense of relief. Good, very good.
The glass doors from the hallway opened and someone stepped out, swathed in a long gold and white hooded robe. “Rehkyt?” The voice was male and very youthful.
Fallon blinked. A kid?
A prince, and a very high-ranking councilor. Khan’s mental voice simmered across her mind threaded with anger. Do not harm him, but do not let him touch you.
A prince? Fallon watched the youthful figure. Great...
The prince moved deeper into the garden and walked toward the tree. He walked all the way around the trunk, stopped, and looked straight up at Fallon. The young man’s face was beyond pretty. His eyes seemed to be violet. “Hello.”
Fallon froze. Great Maker, what should she say?
Why not try being polite? Khan’s sour amusement was crystal clear.
Fallon swallowed. “Hello, ‘Syr.”
The prince frowned and his braid slipped from his hood, revealing hair as gold as his robe. “What are you doing up there?”
Fallon lifted her brow. Good question. She smiled. Let’s see how he deals with the truth. “Staying out of reach, ‘Syr.”
His violet eyes widened. “Why?”
Fallon pursed her lips. Hmmm ... “Because I was told to?” She cleared her throat. “‘Syr.”
The prince smiled, and it was breathtaking. “They’re trying to keep you from impressing, aren’t they?”
Fallon blinked. That sounded like as good an excuse as any. She smiled. “Of course, ‘Syr.”
His expression turned serious and very adult. “I’m bidding on you tonight.”
Fallon frowned. “Do you need a bodyguard, ‘Syr?” She winced. She’d spoken out of turn. He hadn’t asked a question.
The prince sighed. “Yes, I do. Pretty badly, too.” He tilted his head. “I’ve seen thevid. You’re very good.” He smiled. “And pretty.”
Fallon leaned up a little. He though she was pretty? She grinned. “I’m not half as pretty as you are handsome, ‘Syr.”
He sighed and rolled his eyes. “That’s the whole problem. No one takes me seriously.”
Fallon leaned back down on the branch. “Oh, I’m sorry. I’m sure that’ll change as you get older, ‘Syr.”
The prince looked away and scowled. “If I get older.”
Fallon’s claws dug into the branch. “Is someone trying to kill you?”
He snorted and looked up at her. “They’ve been trying to kill me since I came of age. Now that I have my father’s council chair, it’s gotten worse. You would not believe the things my staff has found.”
Fallon frowned. “It sounds like you need a trained professional, ‘Syr. I seriously doubt I’d be good enough for you.”
The prince shrugged. “Oh, I have lots of trained professionals for everything.” He looked up at her. “Everything but the bedchamber.” He folded his hands behind him. “I need someone to protect me when I sleep.”
Fallon winced. “Oh ...”
The prince aimed that breathtaking smile at her again. “I’d like to see the rest of you. Why don’t you come down here?”
Fallon sucked in a sharp breath. Great Maker, his smile was lethal. “I ... can’t, ‘Syr.” She aimed a sharp panicked thought at Khan. Can you come get this kid, please?
You’re doing just fine. Khan was clearly amused. Keep talking to him; you’ve gotten more out of him than Sobehk or I.
The young man’s brows lifted. “I smell ... fear?” His smiled turned feral. “You’re ready to impress. I knew it!” He headed straight for the tree and grasped one of the lower branches, clearly intending to climb.
Fallon sat up on her branch. “‘Syr! What are you doing?”
The prince flashed a hungry smile. “Ensuring my purchase.” He pulled himself up onto the branch. “If you’re already impressed, A’syr Sobehk will have to close off all other bids.”
Oh, shit! Fallon grabbed one of the upper branches and climbed higher. “This isn’t a good idea, ‘Syr!”
The prince followed her. “I think it’s a perfectly acceptable idea.”
Fallon moved around the trunk to the far side and climbed higher. “I thought impression needed sex to happen? Isn’t it kind of hard to have sex in a tree?” Speaking of trees, she was running out of tree fast. Khan! Help me, damn you!
I’m coming. Khan’s mental voice held determination. That little sneak ... he promised he wouldn’t do this!
The prince laughed. “You are new! Impression can happen on contact. That’s why you’ve been told to stay out of reach.” He peeked at her from the other side of the trunk. “There you are.” He reached out.
Fallon released the branch she held and dropped, catching the branch below her with her palms. She pulled sharply and brought her feet up onto the branch to perch. She looked up at him. “You’re cheating!”
“So?” He grinned. “You are good.” He started back down. “I definitely have to have you.”
“Isabeau!” Khan’s shout sounded like salvation.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Fallon dropped as fast as she could, swinging from branch to branch. Not an easy thing to do since the whole tree was moving and it was highly irregular in shape, not to mention the fact that the bark was rough on the palms. She landed on the grass in a crouch.
Khan had his leather robe on and his hood up. His mouth was tight. Are you all right?
Fallon stood up. Fine, and I stayed out of hand contact. What took you so long?
“Oh!” The prince moved back down t
he tree at a considerably slower pace. “A’syr Nehkyx, do you have to call her in?”
Khan looked up and folded his arms. “Yes, my prince, she needs to get dressed for the auction.”
The young man landed on the grass gracefully. “Pity ...”
Fallon darted behind Khan.
The prince grinned. “A’syr Nehkyx, would you be kind enough to tell A’syr Sobehk that I am quite determined. I will empty my account if I have to.”
Khan bowed. “I will do so, my prince.”
“Thanks!” The young man leaned to the side to smile at Fallon. “It was nice to meet you, Isabeau.”
Fallon sketched a deep bow. “It was my honor, ‘Syr.”
The prince turned and jogged for the glass doors.
Khan turned to look at Fallon. I believe you made an impression. He smiled.
Fallon frowned at him. Funny, that’s what he was trying for.
Khan’s smile became grim. So I saw. The little sneak.
She looked at the closed doors where the prince had disappeared. Khan, I have a bad feeling that he’s the intended target.
Khan sighed. I do, too. He started toward the doors.
Fallon followed him with her arms crossed. But we still don’t know who wants him dead!
Khan snorted. Unfortunately, I do . He grasped the door handle. Fully half the council wants him dead.
Fallon shook her head. What! Why?
Khan shrugged and tugged the door open. Oh, the usual reasons, power, greed --
The prince was right inside the door.
Khan raised his brow. Precociousness is another.
Fallon jerked back from the door, stepping into direct sunlight. Her skin gleamed like metal -- and warmed, very quickly.
The prince focused on her, and his mouth opened. “Oh, gold ... ”
Khan cleared his throat. “My prince?”
The prince’s gaze widened as he focused on Khan. “Oh! Excuse me, A’syr Nehkyx.” He hunched his shoulders and turned to walk down the hall. Waiting at the far end were two older Skeldhi in long brilliant robes, along with six fully armored Mahf’dhyt enforcers. The prince joined them and they all trooped out.
Fallon came inside and rubbed her arms. “It was getting warm out there.”
Khan smiled. “Your rehkyt skin can take more sunlight than ours, but you will still burn if you stand directly in it long enough.”
Sobehk stepped out of the left doorway. “Mother Night, three Ehnya’dhyt! Three!” He grimaced. “Remind me not to do that again!”
Fallon’s mouth fell open. The other men in robes had been councilors, too?
Khan stepped into the hall with Fallon at his heels. “You handled them very gracefully.”
Sobehk snorted. “Yeah, right. More like they handled me! ”
Khan shook his head then raised his brow. “It seems that the prince was quite taken with our Isabeau.”
Sobehk frowned. “I missed part of that earlier sending, one of the councilors was yammering in my ear. Did you say that the prince tried to climb the tree to get to her?”
Fallon curled her lip. “He didn’t just climb it; he chased me up and down it!”
Sobehk snorted. “Determined kid.”
“I think he’s a scared kid.” Fallon raised her brow at Khan. “Can we do something about getting him a proper bodyguard?”
Khan scowled. “Not you.”
Fallon snorted. “Obviously not me, but there has to be somebody ...?”
“I’ll see what rehkyt are available.” Khan rolled his eyes and headed toward the bedchamber. “Come, we need to get dressed.”
Fallon followed. “Just us?”
Khan nodded then turned to let her pass. “The dressers will be here very soon to dress Sobehk in court garb.”
“Fancy togs, huh?” Fallon grinned at Sobehk. “That ought to be interesting.”
Sobehk pointed at the bedchamber. “Go.”
* * * * *
Khan leaned back against the right side of the lift and crossed his arms. He was back in his black leather arsenal-laden jacket and skintight pants with his long sword shoved in his sash.
Fallon paced in the lift. She was back in her belly-exposing sex-toy leathers, including Sobehk’s blue sash and Khan’s short sword. Khan had also taken the time to drag her hair back into a tight tail and set a silver ring to hold it very firmly in place.
Sobehk, however, looked majestic. The dressers had done quite a job on him. His hair had been completely redressed into a very full lion’s mane with thousands of tiny sapphire beads on tiny braids, and his robes were fit for a prince. He wore three layers, beginning with sheer frost white under sapphire blue damask. A midnight blue heavily brocaded over-robe hung open and draped him to the floor and a bit beyond.
The blue sash peeking out from under the long over-robe was heavily embroidered with silver thread and nearly scraped the top of his pointed boots. Broad silver bracelets were on his wrists, and his nails had been manicured sharp, then dipped in silver.
Sobehk turned to look at the lift’s floor reading. He was clearly not thrilled. His knuckles were white as he clutched his white staff.
Fallon’s eye was drawn to the broad design embroidered in silver thread across his shoulders and down his back. It looked something like a gigantic oval moon with six ornately clawed rays. Weird symbol . She went back to pacing. Great Maker, she hated waiting.
Khan eyed Fallon’s pacing. “Calm yourself. You have already passed the difficult part, the assessment. We need only arrest anyone that approaches you with the second half of the code.”
Fallon clutched her upper arms. “And how are we supposed to know when they have it --before they stick it in my head?”
Khan lifted his hand and peeled back his sleeve, revealing the black band on his wrist. “Part of my work, while you were napping, was to complete the programming on this. With the help of your spectral code, I will be able to detect its presence. I had it half-way completed when we left the ship.” He examined the black band. “Your coding is not as simple as it appears.”
“Oh, thanks.” The compliment to her work was as startling as it was warming. Fallon’s brows shot up. “Is that why we had to be so careful about anyone coming near me; because you didn’t have it ready?”
Khan lowered his chin. “Of course.”
Sobehk chuckled. “And because Khan is a possessive bastard. He doesn’t like others touching his property.”
Khan snorted. “And you are not?”
Sobehk opened his mouth on a retort.
The lift doors opened, revealing guards stationed on either side.
The chamber beyond was a huge round auditorium with tiered seating packed nearly solid with people in brilliantly hued robes. Dim globes shed light on either side of the doors to over a dozen lifts lining the curved walls. Stepped aisles led downward to the center.
At the very bottom was a large, oval, chest-high stage that gleamed like black water. The force-grid had been activated around it, blocking anyone from climbing onto, or off of, the stage without clearance. In the middle of that black expanse, someone paced. Light poured down on his golden skin and long dark hair. The auction was apparently well under way.
Khan stepped out and lifted his fist, presenting the back of his hand for scanning. He received a nod, stepped down, and turned with his arms crossed.
Fallon frowned. Unlike the other aisles, the carpeted steps leading down from their lift were lined on either side with clear safety-glass walls. She wondered if it was needed to keep back the audience.
No. Sobehk pushed Fallon out of the lift. The glass is to keep unimpressed and frightened rehkyt from attacking someone that accidentally gets too close.
Fallon rolled her eyes, lifted her hand, and presented her fist for scanning. Same thing.
Seated Skeldhi stood up to peer at her through the glass with flyers or data readers in their hands. The chamber echoed with whispers.
Fallon felt the hair on the back
of her neck rise. Suddenly she was very glad that glass was there.
The guard nodded.
She stepped forward to wait by Khan’s side.
Sobehk received his nod and glanced about as he proceeded down the steps toward them. I do not remember there ever being this many people at an auction this far out of Skeldhi space.
There’s a wager, remember? Khan moved down the stairs, leading the way two steps ahead with his hand on the pommel of his sword, clearly stating that he was acting as guard. On who will lay claim to our Isabeau?
Ah ... yes. Sobehk’s mouth tightened. A lot of money is going to be lost when that fourth Ehnya’dhyt steps in.
A fourth councilor? Fallon frowned at Khan’s back. What fourth Ehnya’dhyt?
Nothing you need to worry about. Khan’s amusement was matched by the sense of anticipation wrapped around it.
Fallon followed Khan to the very bottom of the steps. A second set of stairs led onto the stage.
Khan held out his left fist. “Hold.”
Fallon stopped and looked over at the chest-high stage. Stalking back and forth across the black expanse was a heavily muscled gold-skinned male in skintight leather pants. Tall boots climbed halfway up his muscular thighs. His straight black hair was an unbound spill of darkness that fell to the center of his back. The steel chain was bright against his golden throat and silver clips gleamed in the bottom curve of his ears.
Abruptly, he stopped, then turned sharply to face Fallon. His eyes were enormous and pitch black, not one speck of color. His mouth and nipples were as red as hers.
Her heart thumped. He was an upuaht Prime, like she was.
Khan frowned at Fallon. Don’t get any ideas.
Fallon started. Ideas about what?
Sobehk chuckled. Don’t give her any ideas.
A bell rang.
The male started hard and turned sharply toward the center of the stage, his body tense and very still. The bitter scent of fear-sweat washed from the stage.
A man dressed in leather half-armor came up onto the stage from the far side with a chain lead in his hand.
A far smaller Skeldhi male in pale orange and gold robes followed. His mane was a full creamy fall that glittered with gold beads. His face was youthful, and his eyes were as pitch black as the rehkyt ’s. He held his hands out toward the golden male and smiled.
