Jenna

JENNA

I silently plot my revenge on Azul, or rather my boobs do. He might have been able to send me to the stars with his tongue, tail, and cocks, but he is absolutely not going to get away with making me go knickerless…and braless.

I need all the support I can get.

The exceptionally rude moth-like creature presses his measuring device onto the large, square machine which is taking up space in the living area of the accommodation we’ve been upgraded to. Even so, the vastness of this villa dwarfs it. So far, I’ve only seen one huge bedroom, but from the number of passageways which wind their way out of the central area, there has to be more. It’s bigger than the security section on Britannia , and I suspect the broom closet is larger than my quarters.

Perhaps there are perks to being a pretend princess after all.

The machine whirrs into life, a gentle hum, and the moth glares at it, glares at me, and then glares up at the ceiling.

I lean into my role as psudo-royalty.

“How long is this going to take, princy-wincy?” I whine.

Princy-wincy? Where the hell did I get that from?

Azul gives me a look which tells me I need to work on my pet name before giving me a simpering smile.

“Not long, my goddess, I know we have a number of engagements to get to, but having a new wardrobe will be worth it,” he says. “And here, look”—he gestures over my shoulder—“the jeweler is here.”

I debate what Princess would do, even though inside my heart is pounding against my chest, and I want to clap my hands.

“I hope they’re better than the last ones you employed,” I huff. “Everything they had was as ugly as a Habosu.”

The moth’s mouth hitches up at one corner before returning to his usual scowl, so I’m guessing I made the right choice as princess.

“I’m told Luxus has the best jewelers this side of the Haalux nebula, my mate,” Azul says. “If you’d come and have a look…for me?”

I fold my arms and paste on my best petulant face. “Do I have to?”

“You will do whatever you want, my goddess,” Azul says. “Who am I to stop you?”

He dips his head, capturing my lips in a long, drawn out kiss which leaves every part of me pinging with desire.

“And I know what you want,” he murmurs as he releases me.

Instantly, I hate myself because he doesn’t know, not really. Because while he’s been truthful with me, I haven’t told him my real mission.

A mission which is looking less appealing by the hour.

Azul leads me into one of the many ante rooms from the main atrium, leaving the machine humming and the mothman glaring. On a low table, there are more dazzling pieces of jewelry than I have ever seen in my life, and that includes old vids of the British royalty in ancient times, where one of our queens dripped in gemstones at something called the “opening of parliament.”

My jaw goes slack. My brain rapidly tells me I need to do something, say something because Princess would.

I feign indifference.

I think it might be my best role yet.

Azul guides me over to the table. “Do you see anything you like, my goddess?” he asks.

Everything! I like everything!

“One or two pieces are…not hideous,” I say, finally allowing my fingers to trail over the glimmering stones.

“I think this would look stunning on you.” Azul picks up a necklace on which a diamond the size of a pear hangs, surrounded by bright blue stones, almost the same color as his eyes.

I lift my hair as he clips it around my neck, every brush of his fingers sending shockwaves through me.

“How does it look?” My voice is hoarse.

“It looks all the better for adorning you,” Azul says, tracing a knuckle down the side of my face, his gaze entirely on me and me alone.

“Prince Azul?” A strong voice has Azul freezing in place.

All except his hood. That rises slowly before he turns away from me to the speaker.

“I heard you were here, on Luxus, and you had brought a mate .” The other Glycon is smaller than Azul, but not by much. His green scales are a direct contrast to Azul’s purple and blues.

“Nzal,” Azul says, his voice colder than I’ve ever heard it. “I presume these are your jewels?”

“I have been contracted to the authorities here on Luxus for some nova-years to provide them with accessories.”

The other Glycon, Nzal, peers at me. Azul pushes me behind him.

“My mate is none of your business,” he says with a snarl.

“I’d have thought your parents would have announced a new match,” Nzal says evenly. “After the last one did not…go well.”

“I am here on business, Nzal. I wish to purchase this jewel,” Azul says, his hood flaring.

“Then it is yours, my prince.” The Glycon gives Azul a bow. “My assistants will take care of the remainder, but I can leave them here if you wish to consider further purchases.”

Azul moves towards him, his coils undulating, his tail tip tapping on the floor.

“If I could have word,” he says, one arm going around Nzal’s throat as he drags him from the room.

I’m left open-mouthed, my brain struggling to catch up with what I’ve just witnessed.

Azul is a prince. He’s just been identified by one of his fellow Glycon.

Only this isn’t the piece of information which is worrying me.

It’s the newfound knowledge that Azul has been mated before, something he has completely failed to mention, especially when he was destroying my lady parts.

He already has a mate. The realization drops into my stomach like a stone. Azul does not want to be married to me any more than I need to be married to him.

He already has a female waiting for him on his home planet.

A female who is not me.