Azul

AZUL

T he air on Luxus is heavily perfumed. It gets into my nostrils, attempting to drive out the scent of Jenna. I will not let it.

“Welcome to Luxus.” A large Remek, all horns and no shirt gives me a short, wary bow.

I find myself lifting my fangs at the warrior. He might be part of their security detail, but he has no place being this close to me.

Or near my mate.

Fak! Jenna is not my mate. I have to keep our agreement uppermost in my mind. We have an agreement, no matter what happened between us, how her body reacted to mine, how mine reacted to her …

I must put it all to one side. Concentrate on the mission, on my mark. Keep her safe.

“Luxus law requires all weapons to be registered on entry,” the Remek intones.

I snarl at him briefly, then adopt an expression of indifference.

“Very well.” I hold out my palatitanium plated blaster, the one I liberated from a mark two nova-years ago and keep for occasions like this. “This is the only weapon I carry.”

The Remek narrows his eyes at me. “But you’re a Glycon…” he says before recovering himself. “Very good,” he says formally, using his screen to make a note of my weapon.

I sigh deeply and look around.

“Is there anywhere on this little planet where I can obtain clothing for my mate?” I say with a bored tone. “She insists the wardrobe she brought with her will not do and wants to procure another one.” I stifle a yawn, making sure my jeweled ceremonial arm cuffs jingle.

His eyes flick to them, narrow again, then he looks over his shoulder.

“We have a personal shopping service.” He crooks a finger at a tall, pale blue Tref female. “Who can obtain anything you need for your mate, warrior. ”

I dislike the intonation in his voice but keep my bristling to myself. I’m playing a part, and I have to keep to it. Glycons are renowned as warriors across the galaxy, and our wealth, emanating from our star fuel and gemstone mines, is well known, especially among species like Remek, who pride themselves in being honorable warriors.

It makes my scales crawl to pretend not to be what I am. But if I can convince this guard, I can convince anyone.

The Tref female weaves her way over to us.

“How can I help?” she asks.

“I need to check into our accommodation, and my mate requires a new wardrobe.” I study the claws on my left hand. “Then we require pleasure of the best kind.” I fix her with my gaze. “And I don’t mean the sort of pleasure every other…species…comes for. I mean the best.” I give her a knowing look.

Her face splits into a smile. “Your desires are our desires…”

“ of Glycon,” the Remek prompts her.

“ Prince ,” I correct him.

“Your highness.” The Tref gives me a low bow.

The Remek warrior narrows his eyes. I glare back and my hand automatically goes to my weapon.

As does his.

“, my love, have you arranged everything yet? I’m exhausted being stuck in your little ship, and I want some pampering.” A sweet, bright voice interrupts our posturing.

“Jenna, my goddess.” I swing away from the pair in front of me with a wide smile. “I didn’t want to wake you.”

She’s wearing her wedding dress, and my coils go weak at the sight. Here on Luxus, with its pink hued sunlight, the garment sparkles like a hundred thousand gemstones, and not for the first time, I’m wondering exactly what Starlight Brides is and how they can get such a detail so perfect.

“I was already awake.” Jenna looks back at the ship, pauses, but recovers. “After all, you do insist on bringing such a tiny space cruiser for these trips.” She puts her hands on her hips, and my cocks threaten to emerge from my slit.

“My goddess, you know my larger ships are all in use for transport of our gemstones. Anyway, this is supposed to be our…”

“Honeymoon?” Jenna fills in my flailing. “I’ve yet to see if what you suggested is worth it, but”—she gazes around looking like she’s smelt something bad—“so far, I am not impressed.”

“Please, Princess, let me show you to your accommodations. Luxus is not at its best in the spaceport,” the Tref quickly steps in.

Jenna looks at me, her eyes widening as she looks between me, the Tref, and the Remek before recovering herself and glaring at me.

“Yes, my princess, at least look at the accommodation first. I am arranging for you to have the new wardrobe you require.” I give the Tref a pleading look.

“Very well, I’ll look but I’m not guaranteeing we will be staying,” she fires at the Tref.

I check out the Remek, who is staring at Jenna in such a way, I can’t quite stop a growl filling my throat.

“Mine.” The word emerges before I can stop it.

“Believe me Prince , that female is all yours,” he responds as he backs away and goes to complete his check on the contents of another ship.

Jenna looks at me, grins in an all too brief second before I link arms with her and we follow the Tref out of the spaceport.