Assistant for the Alien Prince by Tammy Walsh

Zai

The audience applaudedas the first dance came to an end.

I hadn’t felt the same spark as I had with Jessica, and as pleasant as the response from the audience was, did they notice there hadn’t been one either?

I returned Tus to her father, who would have smiled encouragingly at her… if he could smile.

I’d never seen so much as a crack in his visage my entire life.

Even if Tus had turned out to be my fated mate, I would have thought twice as that meant I’d have to put up with him as my father-in-law for the rest of my life!

I cast around again for a sign of Jessica but couldn’t spot her.

Eseb, daughter of the second most powerful tribe, lowered her veil before I even took her hand.

She smiled knowingly up at me, nothing like the innocent look Tus had worn.

She gave me a wink and took my hand before I could pay her father a compliment about how beautiful she was.

She was the one who led me onto the dance floor.

She pulled me in close and wasn’t shy about putting her hands all over me.

“You’re just like I imagined,” she said. “Am I how you imagined?”

To be honest, I hadn’t given her much thought…

“Uh, sure. You’re… very pretty.”

“Want to know how I look my prettiest?”

She leaned in close and winked.

“With something big and fat in my mouth.”

Startled, I faltered as I began to dance with her.

Eseb did her best to increase the speed faster and faster.

The guests blurred as we spun.

I found myself wishing more than ever that it was Jessica I was dancing with.

Jessica, where are you?