King of Eon by Anna Hackett ePUB)

Chapter Six

Alea banged her knuckles on the metal ledge in the shuttle cargo bay and cursed. Shaking her hand, she tried to focus. She’d had a crappy sleep—alternating between angry tossing and X-rated dreams about a certain warrior king.

Touching her.

Stroking her.

Licking her.

With a growl and a curse, she set down her tool with a clang.

“Is that a bad word on Earth?”

She glanced up. She hadn’t even heard Kyber she was so distracted.

“Yes,” she said. “Don’t use it.”

The boy nodded.

He was so serious. Too serious. Like she’d been after the death of her parents.

They hadn’t been good parents, but they’d had their moments.

And their death had been ugly.

Jeez. She pushed her hair back and re-tied her ponytail. A bad night’s sleep combined with kissing Gayel had really put her in a mood.

No, if she was being honest, seeing Avril prancing around him in her underwear had put Alea in a mood.

None of which was the kid’s fault.

“Any more signs of the Kantos?” Kyber asked.

She shook her head. Frustration tasted like sludge. She’d combed the ship, searched the surrounding part of the palace. Nothing. No signs of more bugs. She should be happy, but it left Alea with a nagging sense that something bad was on the horizon, and she couldn’t see it yet.

“I looked too,” Kyber said.

“Thanks.”

There was a clunk of heavy footsteps, and Ben entered the cargo bay.

He had his hands on his hips, and when he spotted Kyber, he raised a brow.

“Lieutenant Benjamin Knox, Kyber Solann-Eon. Kyber, this is Ben. Kyber is Adlyn’s son.”

Ben held out a hand to the boy. Kyber eagerly shook it like she’d shown him.

“Good grip, kid.” Ben looked at Alea. “Any sign of bugs?”

“No.” She sat on a nearby crate. She realized she was filthy from crawling around the cargo bay. “How was the visit to the city market?”

Ben had escorted the women to the markets. Gayel had met them this morning for morning tea—which Alea had avoided. He’d then had duties to attend to, so the women went into the city with a guard of warriors and Ben.

Her second grunted. “Fine. Shopping is shopping, regardless of the planet.”

His typical male grumpiness made her smile.

His gaze ran down her dirty uniform. She had dirt—well, she wasn’t sure what all the grime was—smeared down her front.

“You going to be ready for this ball tonight?” Ben asked.

The way he said ball warned her that he wasn’t thrilled to attend.

“Sure. Shower, put on a clean uniform. Done.”

Kyber shook his head. “You can’t wear uniforms to the ball. That’s not our custom.”

Alea raised her brows. “I didn’t pack anything else.”

“Well, I had clothes delivered to my room while I was out,” Ben said.

Kyber nodded. “I’m sure you have, too, Alea. The palace steward thinks of everything.”

Shit. If she had to doll up for this ball, she probably needed to get started.

Dammit.

She’d avoid the entire thing if she could. Avoid Gayel. Avoid looking at him. Avoid watching the women fawn all over him.

God. It wasn’t the fault of the women. It was what they were here for.

“I want to do one more sweep of the engine room—”

“I’ll do it,” Ben said.

Kyber straightened. “I can help you.”

Both of them saw desire in the kid’s eyes. He was lonely. Hungry for attention.

“Sure, kid. I’d welcome the help.”

Aww, Ben was such a good guy. “Right. Well, I’ll go and get ready for the ball.”

“And be a girl.” Ben grinned.

She pointed at him. “Here I was thinking you were a nice guy.”

“Go. You need time for hair, makeup—”

She lunged at him, but he was too good and dodged.

Kyber grinned at them.

On her way back to her room, Alea passed two Eon women in dresses who both glanced at her dirty uniform with vague horror.

She’d barely gotten through the door when there was a knock. She yanked her uniform jacket off, leaving her in her sweaty T-shirt. She opened the door.

A female palace server stood there holding a long box. “Captain?”

“Yes?”

“A delivery for you.” The woman held up the box. “Clothing for the ball.”

“Sure, come in.”

The woman hustled inside and set the box on the bed.

“What’s your name?” Alea asked.

The woman looked surprised for a second, blinking her black-and-silver eyes. “Lanka.”

“Okay, Lanka, let’s see what we’ve got.”

The woman lifted the lid and Alea stared at a swath of cream and blue.

Lanka gasped and stared for a second, then she pulled the dress out.

Alea sucked in a breath. It was gorgeous.

It was vaguely Grecian-looking. It was sleeveless, with two gold clips at the top of the shoulders, and a deep V neckline. The bodice was a cream that made Alea think of the inside of an oyster shell.

The color changed down the dress, turning to a deep, rich, blue at the bottom. It would fit in close to her waist, where there was another gold brooch at her hip, then a long, swishing skirt.

“It’s beautiful.”

Lanka eyed her. “It is. I’m to do your hair.” She looked at the top of Alea’s head. “You should wear it up.”

“Sure.” It would at least keep it out of her way.

“Captain—”

“Please, call me Alea.”

Lanka nodded. “Alea, this is a dress designed for a female warrior.”

Alea cocked her head. “It is?”

The woman moved the fabric and Alea saw the large slit up one side. For ease of movement.

“It is Eon tradition for a female warrior to wear a blade strapped to her thigh.” The woman eyed the blaster still on Alea’s hip. “Other weapons are not permitted at the ball.”

“Right.”

Lanka bent over the box and pulled out a smaller box. “It appears whoever selected your attire included a blade.”

Alea opened the smaller box and gasped.

Now, these were pretty.

There were two knives. She’d expected something decorative, but these were the real deal. Perfectly formed from smooth, unadorned metal. A soldier’s blade.

She lifted one, testing the weight. Perfect.

“I’ll have to thank the steward for picking out the dress and the blades. These are stunning.”

Lanka looked at the floor and made a sound.

“Problem?” Alea asked.

“No, no. You should wash now, then I can do your hair.”

“Great.”

Alea had never been to a ball. She’d gone to prom in a borrowed dress, but nothing like this.

After her shower, she stood in front of the mirror. The dress fit her perfectly. She moved a little, watching the hemline swish around her ankles. Her toned arms were on perfect display, and when the slit parted up the skirt, she could see the two knives strapped to her thigh.

She smiled.

Her bruises were also on display. She tilted her forearm. She had a rather interesting spiral bruise in purple-black. Oh, well. Not much she could do about it without tangling with the strict, bossy medical commander again.

Lanka had piled Alea’s hair up on top of her head, and Alea hadn’t gone too heavy with the makeup. She’d emphasized her eyes, dabbed on some bronzer, and swiped some pink across her lips.

The shoes provided thankfully had a low heel. She wouldn’t trip. She could count on her fingers how many times she’d worn heels.

“You look stunning, Alea.” Lanka clasped her hands together.

“Guess I’m ready. Thanks for your help.”

“An honor.” With a secret smile, the woman dashed away.

Right. Alea would get to the ball, eat, keep her charges happy and safe, and avoid Gayel.

As she strode down the hall, she saw people looking at her. Mmm, she guessed it wasn’t every day they saw a Terran in an Eon getup.

Ahead was the ballroom. There were some people milling around outside, and several warriors eyed her, appreciation in their gazes.

She strode through the doors.

Wow.

If she thought the courtyard for the dinner had looked good, this was something else. There was a high, vaulted ceiling in the massive room, and large pillars of glowing, cream rock. They flanked either side of the space. Above, round lanterns were floating in the air. It looked like they were held up by magic. They were cream, gold, and blue.

It looked like a fantasy land, and she took a second to take it all in.

She scanned the guests. She spotted her group and noted that more people were staring at her.

Man, she hadn’t put the dress on backward or anything, had she? Ben noticed her, the appetizer he was eating frozen halfway to his mouth.

There were a few couples dancing to the low strains of some sort of string music.

She noticed Gayel was one of the dancers, laughing down at Chloe, as he tried to teach the woman an Eon dance.

Alea’s good feelings curdled.

Then he looked up.

His eyes widened as he took her in, something flaring in them that she couldn’t quite identify.

* * *

Gayel just stared.

Alea was wearing the dress he’d selected for her.

She was in his colors.

Satisfaction knifed through him. Was she wearing the blades that he’d had the palace smith craft for her today? Was there steel lying against smooth, bronzed skin?

“You have a tough nut to crack with that one.”

He blinked and looked down at Chloe. It was hard to pull his gaze away from Alea.

The blonde woman’s curls danced around her smiling face. “You look at the captain the way every woman dreams of a man looking at her.”

Gayel swallowed. “I’m sorry.”

This woman had left her planet, agreed to consider a union to an alien stranger on a far-off world.

“Don’t be. You never know who you’ll connect with. But Your Highness, Captain Rodriguez has defenses on top of her defenses. You have a battle ahead, so good luck.”

He smiled back. “Thank you.”

He led Chloe back to her table.

“The others haven’t worked it out yet.” She winked at him. “I won’t say anything.”

He saw Alea talking with Adlyn, Ryphen, and some of the other warriors.

Cren. She was gorgeous.

“My son.”

Gayel turned. His mother wore a sleek, blue dress, and looked as beautiful as always. “Mother.”

“I hope your potential brides are enjoying the ball?”

He glanced at the table. They were chatting and eating and drinking. Some were dancing. “It appears so.”

His mother’s shrewd gaze zeroed in on his face. “Care to tell me why one of the Terrans, a member of the security team, is not only in Royal blue, but wearing your personal colors?”

How was it that even as an adult, a warrior, and a king, that tone of his mother’s made him feel about Kyber’s age? “I don’t have to answer that.”

Her gaze narrowed—purple and black like his. “You might be king, but you are still my son.”

“I… She is a warrior, Mother. She calls to me. I sent her the dress.”

“Does she understand the significance?”

He stayed silent.

His mother blew out a breath and shook her head. “You want her?”

“Yes.”

“Does she want you?”

He shifted. “She desires me—”

“But she has no interest in being queen,” his mother finished. “Oh, Gayel.”

“We just met. She’s a Space Corps officer.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I want time with her.”

His mother’s lips curled. “I think a challenge will do you good. You know, this reminds me of me and your father.”

Gayel frowned. “You had an arranged union.”

“Yes, but I was a warrior in my father’s army before I married. I didn’t want dresses, jewels.” She smiled, old memories in her eyes. “I made him work for it.” Her face cleared. “We have several events still planned for your bridal candidates. We can’t cancel them now. We have the hunt tomorrow.”

He nodded.

“But if you can find some time with your warrior, take it.”

“If the Kantos give us time,” he said darkly.

“Yes. It is time to deal with the Kantos, Gayel, once and for all.”

“I know. The battle is coming.” He worried what choices he’d be forced to make. How many lives would be lost?

His mother touched his arm. “You are so strong, so smart, and I see how you ask questions and assess all your options.” Her nose wrinkled. “I loved your father, faults and all. I know he could be stubborn, set in his ways, and sure he was right. I’m proud of the king you’ve become, Gayel.”

His chest filled. “Thank you, Mother. I know the Kantos must be stopped. I just don’t want to be backed into a corner.”

She tilted her head, gaze darkening. “You’re referring to using the helindai.”

The ultimate power an Eon king could unleash.

Something so powerful, once started, it couldn’t be stopped.

“I know father used it. On the Kognak.”

His mother looked away and pulled in a breath. “He rushed into using it, so certain he was making the right choice.” She looked back at Gayel. “He had nightmares about it. Regrets.”

Gayel’s stomach turned to rock. “I hope I can make the right choices.”

But at the end of the day, he was the King of the Eon, and he would fight for his people.

She patted his cheek. “Enough talk of war and death. Tonight, there are no Kantos. You are so handsome, my boy.”

Yanlin appeared, her straight black hair falling to her shoulders. She curtsied. “I’m told it’s not too forward to ask you to dance?”

Gayel glanced to the dance floor and saw Ryphen leading a smiling Alea onto the dance floor.

His chest locked with a hot rush of emotion he’d rarely felt before.

Jealousy.

“Dance with the woman, Gayel,” his mother said.

He took Yanlin’s slim hand and walked onto the dance floor.

The music was a classic Eon dance—the beat fast and lively. Yanlin moved well, laughing a few times when she got a step wrong.

He looked over her head.

Alea was looking his way.

Then she glanced away, and she and Ryphen whirled into the crowd of dancers.

Gayel watched her. Alea moved well too, although she held herself tall, a little stiff, not fully letting go.

No, Alea Rodriguez didn’t release that control of hers easily.

He thought of the wild kiss in his room. He liked the controlled, disciplined captain.

He also liked the fierce, focused warrior.

But he really liked the hot, passionate woman he’d glimpsed.

Ryphen said something to her, and he saw her smile.

Gayel swallowed a growl.

He wanted her smiles.

He wanted her in his arms.

The couple passed him on the dance floor. Those brown eyes stared at him. Almost defiant.

Finally, the song ended.

Yanlin dipped to curtsy. “You’re an excellent dancer and teacher, Your Highness.”

“Thank you, Yanlin.”

She headed back to the group of Earth women.

He scanned the room. No sign of Alea.

He saw Ryphen, alone.

Gayel’s gaze moved to the open doors to the balcony, which led out to the gardens.

Before anyone could grab him, he slipped out the door.

He caught her scent.

As he followed it, his gut hardened into knots. A part of him wanted to crush this violent need he had.

He was a warrior, a king. Not a man to be ruled by his desires.

At the end of the darkened balcony, he spotted her. A splash of color against the black.

He strode toward her silently, but she still turned.

“You’ll be missed,” she said.

“I don’t care.”

Her gaze ran over his face.

“I want to dance with you,” he said.

“You can’t. Dance with your brides.” She looked away.

He stepped right behind her, eyeing her smooth shoulders. So beautiful. There was just the tiniest space between them.

“I don’t want them.”

She shivered. “What am I wearing, Gayel? People keep staring, giving me startled and surprised looks.”

“You’re wearing the dress I selected for you.”

She looked back over her shoulder. “You picked it?”

“Yes. You’re in my colors.” He didn’t bother to hide his satisfaction. “I don’t want them, I want you.”

She turned, shaking her head. “No. You don’t know me.”

“I know the important things. I know I’ll enjoy learning every little thing about you.”

She shook her head again.

His gaze snagged on the bruise circling her arm. He cursed. “You should have had this healed.”

“It’s a bruise. Not the first I’ve had and not the last.”

He lifted her arm and pressed his lips to the dark marks marring her skin. She let out a shaky breath. “Gayel.”

He leaned closer, and her gaze moved to his mouth. “Tell me you don’t want me.”

Her face spasmed. “I can’t.”

“Alea—”

She pressed her hands to his chest. “Gayel, I’m a marine. I’m also…the daughter of criminals. I’m not good enough for you.”

Anger filled him and he scowled. “That’s pure cren-cursed bullshit.”

Her eyebrows winged up at the Earth term.

“Adlyn learned that,” he said. “She uses it all the time. You’re a decorated Space Corps officer. And I don’t give a cren who your parents are.”

She blinked at him. “Damn you.”

“Alea—”

She yanked him close and kissed him.