A pale flush stole over Auzed’s face, and he straightened. “Wilson and I were just having a conversation about boundaries after I found her tearing up one of my new shirts for her nest today.”
Alex winced and shot an accusatory glance at Wilson. The tuey looked back at her with wide, innocent eyes, and Alex folded, scratching her behind the ears. Lowering Wilson to the floor, she approached Auzed’s turned back and wondered if his openness to her touching him had carried through from yesterday.
Tentatively, she ran her hand up the smooth fabric of his shirt and felt the firm muscles of his back bounce under her touch. Gone still, he let out a low hum.
“Personally, I wouldn’t think it the worst thing in the world if you had all your shirts destroyed.”
He turned in place, half his mouth lifted in a grin. “Is that right?”
Tilting her head up at him, she tugged at his pale-green, form-fitting shirt. “This one is atrocious.” She wrapped a palm around his neck and pulled him down for a brief kiss, breaking to say, “You should definitely give it to Wilson.”
When she kissed him again, he remained stiff for only a few seconds before groaning and returning her kiss but then stepped away. “As much as I’d love to, we have to leave for the opening ceremony soon.” He handed her another piece of pink bread, and she huffed out a disappointed breath.
“Mmm. This is getting better,” she said through a mouthful after trying a bite.
He looked pleased by her compliment but said nothing, only sipped on his beverage and eyed her with an odd intensity.
“This is, like, a game, right? But also an important tradition. So what should I be wearing? Fancy? Casual?”
“Somewhere in the middle, I’d say. I can help you choose something after you eat.”
Should I bring it up? I shouldn’t bring it up. I’m gonna bring it up. “Oh, are you okay going into my room, then?” He raised a brow at her, clearly not understanding her subtlety. “I thought maybe Clecanians didn’t go into other people’s rooms, since you didn’t join me last night and all.”
His brows drew together, and he studied her while taking a long drink.
“I mean, it’s probably for the best that you didn’t. Might’ve led to…more, and I need to see that doc before we go any further.”
Auzed’s confusion morphed into concern in an instant. “Are you unwell?”
She stifled a grin. “No, I just would need to get birth control. Fingers crossed it works faster than the stuff on Earth.” She let out an awkward chuckle.
Like a shot, his gaze grew heated. In a low rumble, he asked, “You wanted me in your bed last night?”
“I was thinking a good cuddle, but…” She shivered at his tone, and heat pooled in her belly. “I wouldn’t have kicked you out.”
“You needn’t see the doctor. I’m dormant.” The briefest growl broke from his lips before he could stop it, as if he’d just realized something infuriating. “That is, unless you’d like to be dormant in case you meet someone else.”
Would I like to be dormant? Eyes widening, she blurted, “Do you mean you’re on birth control? For men?”
He rested his fists on the table between them. “Yes. I told you, I cannot marry while holding my current position, so I ensure I’m dormant.”
Alex threw up her hands and laughed. “Then why didn’t we do more last night?” His jaw was still angrily tensed. It took her a second to understand why. “And no. I don’t need to be dormant as long as you are.”
As soon as the words had left her lips, he let out a large breath he’d been holding.
“So why didn’t you come into my room?” she tried a little more insistently. A brief flare of uncertainty flickered to life. What if he regretted fooling around with her? Or what if he’d gotten all he needed and didn’t want to cuddle?
As if he couldn’t figure out how else to put it, he hiked his shoulders and said, “It’s not what’s done.”
Alex rolled her eyes. “This again. Apparently blow jobs aren’t done either, but you seemed to like that. And kissing.”
“Blow job?”
She clicked her tongue and dropped her gaze pointedly in the direction of his lap.
“Ah. I can learn to live with that.”
She almost missed the smirk as he hid his lips behind his glass. “I’ll bet you can.” She laughed. “So, what isn’t done exactly? Sex in a bed, or cuddling in a bed?”
“Cuddling,” he said matter-of-factly. “We wouldn’t share a room with our partners for long after pleasing them. It never occurred to me you’d want me to stay. Especially since you hadn’t had enough time to recover yet.”
Alex tipped her head. “No offense, you were really good and all, solid A-plus from me, but…you didn’t exactly break me. What did I have to recover from?”
“From the penetration and orgasm,” he said, as if it were obvious. “I know it’d be only a short while compared to the recovery time you’d need after sex, but you still came.” A sudden look of worry passed over his features. “You did, didn’t you?”
“Yeah. Yeah, I did,” she confirmed quickly. “But I don’t need any recovery time from having an orgasm.” Alex made a face, the mere thought of it unpleasant. She wondered if all Clecanians required time between orgasms or just the women. They were kind of like human men in that regard. Only able to orgasm once, then needing to recuperate. “Do you need recovery time?”
“No.” Auzed tightened his fists even more as he stared at her, except this time, he definitely wasn’t upset.
Feeling daring, she rose. “Oh well, Auzzy.” She pouted and shrugged while sauntering to the lift. “Guess you missed your chance, huh? Gotta get ready for the games.”
Wide eyes narrowing, his lips curled into a wicked grin and his gaze darkened. As the lift levitated toward the ceiling, she gave him a flirtatious little wave.
Chapter 17
Auzed scanned their section of the arena a final time before settling. While most of the stadium was near bursting with all manner of Clecanians, the area in which they’d been seated only had a few occupants.
“I didn’t realize this many people even existed in this city!” Alex commented while staring around the jam-packed arena. She looked lovely in the pale-purple ensemble he’d helped her select. The fabric shifted and flowed in time with her movements.
Unsurprisingly, their lap around the walkway circling the arena had been exhausting. The regents hadn’t pushed Alejandra to be out for long the past two days, content with a few hours here and there at the market tree, and now he understood why. It seemed as though every single Sauvenian and hordes of other Clecanians from different cities were at the games today. If Alex were to be recognized by someone, the regents had a pretty good shot of it happening here.
Alex took it in stride, politely greeting everyone who introduced themselves to her before moving on. But now things were different. He was different, and they were different. Even though their tryst was not meant to last, all the possessive instincts raging through him since the day they’d met now felt justified.
She had given herself to him, and if her sly hints were any indication, she would continue to seek him out for companionship and pleasure. She was his, for whatever time they had together. And his insides fumed at the looks the Sauvenians kept directing toward her.
Whereas before, he’d encouraged minimal touching in order to mimic a typical couple, he now found himself sliding his hand across her lower back whenever he got the opportunity. Her quick intakes of breath both encouraged him and calmed him. She liked his touch. The smiles she gave him were genuine. That was something he could hold on to when it felt like the itch to grab her and leave was too much.
They settled into their assigned area, and Auzed relaxed a bit. At least the regents had been kind enough to give them deluxe seats. In this section of the ring, spectators were placed much farther apart. Far enough that he wouldn’t be concerned about curious onlookers ruining Alex’s enjoyment of the ga
me.
“What are these?” Alex asked, pointing down to the control pads hooked to the tables in front of them.
“It’s so you can control what you watch.” He activated her viewer and showed her how to navigate between the many cameras hovering around the playing area. “The contestants all compete at the same time. You can either watch from here, or you can scroll through different views. Often the cameras will focus on favored players.” With a few more flicks of his fingers, he brought up a different screen. “And this allows you to order any food or drink. Shall I pick something for us?”
Alex grinned and brushed her fingers over his knuckles. “You know me so well.”
Activity from behind them drew her attention, and she removed her hand. Auzed flexed his knuckles, the loss of her touch oddly distressing.
Under her breath, she mumbled, “Oh great.”
He turned and found the regents floating down the steps toward them. They were being followed by a hovering camera. The reason they’d been seated in such a nice area was now clear. A murmur swept through the crowd like a wave, then the frenzied chatter began. Alex was being filmed. Broadcast to the audience at large as if she were also part of the opening day festivities.
She must’ve realized the same, for she brushed a hand over her hair, smoothing it, and her warm expression hardened.
“Hello, Alejandra.” After a long moment, Queen Dasa added, “And Head Guard Auzed. How are you on this fine day?”
Since Auzed remained still, saying nothing, Alex spoke. “Great. Thanks for inviting us.”
The queen of Sauven was wrapped in an intricately knotted ivory gown today. It cinched against her body and created rolls of gauzy pale fabric. The knots grew more ornate as the fabric traveled down her tail.
The king’s outfit was drab in comparison. He’d chosen a loose-fitting cream tunic and sandy-brown pants, though his tail was wrapped and knotted in the same delicate fabric as the queens.
“We’ve had word that you’ve been exploring the city a bit. How are you enjoying Sauven so far? Is everyone treating you well?”
Alex’s mouth thinned almost imperceptibly. Zed felt a rush of warmth in his chest. Was he the only one who noticed it? Could he see changes in her mood that no one else could? Why did it also ache to think that might be true? It came as no shock when she began twirling that gold ring around her finger. Zed had to distract himself from the urge to force the regents and camera away. He busied himself with ordering food instead.
“Yes. I’ve really enjoyed exploring the market tree, and I’m excited about whatever is going on here today.” Alex gestured to the empty air inside the enormous circle of seats.
“Marvelous,” King Bet intoned. “We have another surprise for you that should help elevate your mood even more.”
Zed tensed.
With a commanding wave of the king’s tail, an attendant near the entrance to their section ushered two females through the doorway. He recognized one of the females instantly. Daunet, a guard under his command. The other was vaguely familiar, but he couldn’t quite place her. The female gazed around with wide, sparkling blue eyes as though she’d never seen anything better.
Realization hit. Mm…something. What was her name again? She was human. One of the humans under his care at the Pearl Temple. If he remembered correctly, she was the female who talked incessantly about seeing the rest of Clecania. She was odd too. Not once had she bemoaned the fact that she’d been taken from Earth. Quite the opposite. She was overjoyed.
She’d been rescued from the same facility Jade, his sister-in-law, had been over six months ago. A tenacious little thing, she’d learned to read their language on her own in a matter of months and had combed the archives for information on each and every city, intent to travel this new world as soon as she was allowed.
As far as he knew, this was the first time she’d left Tremanta. But why? And how? Had she requested this visit? Or had the regents brought her here?
“We spoke with the Queen of Tremanta, and she thought you may want to spend some time with another human.” Queen Dasa waved the human female—Migs, was it?—through and gave them both a kind smile. The camera hovering overhead zoomed in on the two humans as they greeted each other. “This is Meg.”
As Meg and Alex clasped their hands together and moved them up and down, both their eyes continued to stray to the camera hovering nearby.
Auzed still couldn’t understand this. They’d allowed the Queen to send a human into the city though they weren’t on the best terms at the moment? As the camera hovered closer still, he understood. It made perfect sense. The downsides of doing the Queen of Tremanta a favor like this paled in comparison to the potential. Another unmated human female was now gliding through the trees of Sauven. Another opportunity for one of their citizens to recognize a mate. And another way in which they could legally steal an earthling away from the Queen who they believed to be hoarding humans.
The deep whistle of traditional Sauven woodwinds sounded from all around. He caught Alex’s uncomfortable gaze, and they both looked back to the regents, praying to the gods they wouldn’t be joining them.
“Enjoy the day one bout. I prefer the complexity of day two myself,” Queen Dasa said while taking the arm of the king and lifting her tail in farewell.
As soon as the regents and their camera were gone, Alex and Meg broke into excited chatter. True enthusiasm was visible in both their grinning faces, so Zed decided he’d give them privacy and instead rose to greet Daunet.
She was waiting by the exit and gave him a cursory glance as he approached. Was that judgment shining in her eyes? How much had they told her? Renewed annoyance surged in his gut. He’d allowed himself to forget his current predicament the past few hours, but now, face-to-face with one of his guards…it pushed through the semi-relaxed fog layer in his mind full force.
“Daunet.” He nodded, keeping his posture straight and his shoulders back.
“Sir.” She tilted her chin down respectfully.
There was an awkward pause before he found words to use that wouldn’t be out of place. “How are things running at the Temple? Who has taken up my post in the meantime?”
“Boriq, sir. They’re running well enough.” Her mouth twitched downward. “He gives the humans much more leeway. It’s causing disruption among the guards, in my opinion.”
And just like that, a weight was lifted. She was trying to tell him that Boriq, a senior guard he didn’t particularly like, was doing a poor job. She’d implied she preferred Zed’s leadership even now. Even with the rumors surely floating around the Temple that he’d broken multiple laws in another city.
Why was he continuing to drive himself crazy with guesses as to what rumors were being spread about him, though? “I’d like you to speak freely, Daunet. What are they saying about me back home?”
She shifted from side to side, and the corner of her mouth twitched down again. “Are you sure?”
The mere question was like stone through his veins. He tensed and nodded.
“Well, many—myself included—believe there was simply a misunderstanding, but others…” She took a deep breath. “They say you purposefully went off on your own during the search to find the human so you could claim her for yourself. They say you have a friend here who you colluded with. That’s why you were given leave from your duties and are staying with the female. To force more time alone together because supposedly that’s the way to make marks come out.” Half of Daunet’s face lifted in a wince. “They say you are trying to steal a female away as your father did.”
Zed, who so often clenched his jaw when angry, now found his chin had dropped. He’d expected outrage over his actual crimes, but never had he thought his own guards would think such things about him. Or his father. That he would intentionally deprive his fellow Tremantians the opportunity to meet a female because of his own selfish interests… How could they think that?
“I don’t believe a word of it,” Daunet said
again, staring seriously into his eyes. “But maybe if you told me what happened, I could try to set the record straight back home.”
Controlled breaths in and out were the only thing keeping him from throwing a heavy chair over the railing. Finally, he deflated. “I don’t want you troubling yourself. If I haven’t proved myself an honorable male throughout all my years of service, both off-world and at the Temple, there is no way you’ll convince them with a relayed message. But know that none of what you told me is accurate.”
Her expression grew pinched, an argument still brewing in her throat.
“When I return, I’ll tell everyone what happened. For now…let them believe what they want.”
They continued talking for a while, but Auzed’s mind was only half aware of the conversation. Daunet was there to escort Meg around Sauven.
Auzed ambled back toward Alex and Meg, who were leaning close and speaking happily. He paused. Most of his guards had lost respect for him and not even for the reasons he’d assumed. Petty gossip and hearsay had taken the place of actual dishonorable behavior. And his father…
It was common knowledge his mother had pushed to remain with one male in accordance with her Traxian culture. It was a well-known fact. Yet now, in the wake of the last four days, they were doubting his father’s honor as well? Had they always believed his family to be duplicitous under their guise of respect? Or were their opinions so fickle they could so easily turn rotten?
If his reputation could be swayed within a matter of days, then why was he holding back at all? He could take what he wanted now and work to win their respect when he arrived home and made it clear he would not be marrying Alejandra. She wasn’t his for long, after all, so why not take advantage of her warmth while he could? Why continue to cling to codes of conduct he seemed to be the only one to care about?
He gazed at the soft brown waves falling over Alex’s shoulder and recalled how those curls had felt in his fist the night before. Why care? Why try? Especially when the alternative had proved so much more gratifying.
Tempting Auzed: The Clecanian Series Book 4 Page 16
