Chapter 10

CHAPTER TEN

Z ade

The air buzzed with hushed conversations; political maneuverings hidden beneath polite smiles.

“Our sensors indicate your mate is not by your side, Commander,” Bren remarked dryly. “You should have come down together. You know how it will be perceived.”

Zade didn't bother with a response. Had Bren been standing next to him, rather than safely aboard The Reaper and out of the Council’s reach, he might have given the Lumerian a hard slug. Or two. Fighting had always been a great stress reliever for Zade, and Bren was always game, landing just as many hits as Zade did. Thanks to Zade’s Saltrec heritage, they were equally matched.

What Bren said was true. He hadn't waited for Ashlyn. His own impatience and anger over their argument earlier had driven him to the ballroom without her, a grievous error that now put their entire plan in jeopardy. A surge of possessiveness warred with his innate desire to protect his mate.

Caldorian warriors rarely left their women during the traditional six week claiming period, and certainly not during the first few days together. Separating early would be akin to an announcement of failure. He would need to do damage control. Or maybe she wanted to run. Well, that's too bad, little human, because you may not think my claim is real, but I'll do whatever it takes to convince you.

An unnatural quiet settled over the room, drawing Zade’s attention. He knew without looking that Ashlyn had arrived. Zade tilted his head, his gaze immediately settling on her at the top of the staircase. Every male eye in the room seemed to follow her, and it drove his primitive desire to dominate into overdrive.

Zade set his yavo juice down, a Caldorian beverage much like Earth’s stoutest beer, and pushed his way through the crowd to get to her. He moved through the crowd with predatory grace, his tall, muscular frame cutting an imposing figure.

Bren was right, he and Ashlyn should have come down together. “ Fulack .” His curse was half whisper, half sigh. Every unmated male in the room was shifting positions, eager to be the first to greet her at the bottom of the stairs.

He couldn’t breathe. She was exquisite. A knee, a shoulder, sparkling silver heels. She was completely covered, and yet somehow it was the most provocative clothing he’d ever seen. Seen yet not seen, the mere possibility of catching a glimpse of the forbidden kept his eyes glued to her. He broke out in a sweat as blood rushed to his cock. He was so hard he ached, and the night had just begun.

She looked like a queen.

A vision of fiery beauty, his senses were immediately captivated by her presence. His gaze was drawn irresistibly to her small yet curvy body, adorned in the swirling mist that seemed to caress every curve. The mist danced around her, teasingly revealing glimpses of the radiant skin under the gown. Never anything too provocative, however, he nearly choked at a quick glimpse of the skin just below her breast. The curve of her hip. There, then gone. Teasing him. Leaving him breathless with desire. Her eyes sparkled like distant stars, reflecting the shimmering hues of the gown, drawing him into their depths with an irresistible pull.

Various Council members watched, including Councilor Boleen, the four-armed female who had caught them together. She kept two eyes on Ashlyn while a third, round purple eye searched the room and landed on him.

She was watching him. He’d been right. They knew everything about him. No Saltrec warrior would allow any male close to his mate. Especially not when she was as breathtakingly beautiful, and powerful, as Ashlyn would be when she ruled from her Council seat.

“I hope you know what you’re doing, Commander. They are circling her like vultures. If they believe there is a hint of weakness, they will try to kill you and take her for themselves,” Bren remarked dryly.

“Let them try.” Zade wasn’t worried about death. Assassins had come for him before. Let them come. He’d eliminate them as he had all the others.

No. What worried him was the Saltrec blood pulsing through his veins like fire, demanding he kill anyone who dared touch her, dared take her hand.

“Don’t kill anyone.” Bren’s voice rang with warning.

Antonelius stepped forward and ascended the steps toward Ashlyn. Zade picked up his pace, had to physically lift two guests out of his way. The male Caldorian guard pivoted, offended, took one look at Zade’s face, and backed up.

Smart.

Ashlyn smiled at Antonelius. Zade’s mating instincts overruled his mind, turned his thoughts dark, consumed with battle. Blood. Death.

Fulack. Don’t touch her. Do. Not.

Antonelius stopped just out of arm’s reach, said something to Ashlyn that Zade couldn’t hear, and rotated his torso unerringly to find Zade in the crowd. The bastard knew exactly what he was doing.

Not killing that Caldorian was going to be harder than he thought.

Ashlyn took a deep breath as Zade appeared out of nowhere and placed his body directly between herself and Antonelius. Her smile faltered at the look in his eyes. She saw everything there her sister had warned her about and more: obsession, possession, dominance, desire.

The cold fury in Zade’s eyes softened as he stared down into her eyes. He took her hand and gently moved her farther from the other Caldorian.

“Antonelius. Wise choice, not touching my mate. I would hate to kill you and start a war.”

Kill him? A war? Had Zade lost his mind?

Fortunately, Antonelius laughed, not at all intimidated by Zade’s threat. “I know all about Saltrec instincts. If I wanted to take your female, you would already be dead.”

What the hell was going on with these two? Whatever primitive male posturing was happening, she’d had enough. She made sure her voice was low enough not to carry to the rest of the guests. “Stop. Both of you.” She twisted her arm in a subtle attempt to break Zade’s hold. No such luck. He was far too strong.

Zade moved swiftly, his hand claiming her waist, guiding her away from the other male and out toward the dance floor. Her body tensed under his touch, but she didn’t pull away. The warmth of her skin seeped through the fabric of her gown, a tantalizing reminder of how much he wanted her.

Antonelius gave a slight bow. “We’ll speak later, Ashlyn.”

“You will not.” Zade spoke to Antonelius’s back, as the Caldorian had already walked away.

“What is wrong with you? You’re making us look bad.” She was having enough of a heart attack in this dress, being stared at by a room full of aliens, without Zade embarrassing her. The tension between her and Zade had only escalated since their argument, and now, with the entire Intergalactic Council watching, they needed to present a united front. Focus, Ashlyn. You can’t let him get to you , she reminded herself. Play the part of adoring mate for a few hours, then you can go back to your room and fall apart. Just don’t do it here.

To her surprise, Zade didn’t spare a single glance at their rapt audience. His gaze had locked onto hers and wouldn’t let go. She couldn’t think when he looked at her like that, like she was the only person in the world, the only one who mattered.

“I am Saltrec, mate. I tried to explain to you what that would mean. Antonelius knows. There is a reason he stopped short of touching you.”

“You wouldn’t actually kill him.”

“I will kill anyone who touches my mate. Antonelius knows this. As does everyone else in this room.”

“That’s—” Her heart skipped a beat as he placed a hand on the curve of her hip and pulled her into his embrace, swaying to the slow, sultry beat of the music. “That’s crazy.”

The air between them charged with a dangerous electricity, their bodies drawn together like magnets. Zade leaned down like he was nuzzling her ear affectionately and growled, “If you don’t start acting like we are desperately in love, the Council will see through our deception. Don’t you see them watching? Councilor Boleen looks like she’s ready to announce her decision right now, and it won’t be in our favor. If we can’t convince her, after what she saw us doing, we won’t stand a chance of convincing the others.”

The bitter taste of anger lingered on Ashlyn's tongue, even as a fiery passion simmered beneath the surface of their feud. She lifted a hand to caress his jaw lovingly and stretched up on her tiptoes so she could graze his neck with her lips as she whispered, “Yes, of course I see her, but how can I pretend to love someone I don’t like and barely know?”

Zade’s hand tightened around her hip, his grip bordering on painful, his fingers digging into her skin with a mix of control and possessiveness. His hard cock nestled between her legs. “Remember how you begged me for more a few hours ago? How you moaned my name in ecstasy? Use that to inspire your performance.”

“It was so underwhelming, I barely remember it,” she snapped back.

“Careful, shenga ,” Zade growled through thinned lips, his free hand tunneling into her hair, “or I’ll prove you a liar in front of everyone.”

As they moved across the dance floor, her body trembled with both anger and anticipation. “You wouldn’t dare,” she breathed, her body flushed. How could his words turn her on when she was still so angry with him? Maybe because the real person you’re angry with is yourself. Admit it. You’re falling for the one guy in the universe that you can’t have, and it’s all your own fault.

Zade smiled mirthlessly. “Watch me.”

Ashlyn gasped as Zade lowered his head and took her mouth in a searing kiss, their bodies melting into each other as the music swirled around them, filling the air with a seductive melody that seemed to match the rhythm of their bodies.

Ashlyn could hear the whispers and despite her anger, she couldn't deny the fire that burned between them.

"Next time you will wait for me, mate," he growled, his voice low and dangerous.

Ashlyn lifted her chin defiantly, meeting his fierce gaze. "I don’t need a babysitter, Zade."

His grip tightened slightly, not enough to hurt, but enough to assert dominance. "In my culture, engaged couples rarely separate. You're making this harder than it needs to be."

She fought the urge to lean into his touch, her pulse quickening. "And in my culture, we don’t like being told what to do."

Zade leaned in, his breath hot against her ear. "Before the night is over, I’m going to have you on your knees, begging for my touch."

Ashlyn's breath hitched, a wave of heat pooling low in her belly. She tried to hide her reaction, but her body betrayed her with a slight tremor. "Is that all you think about? Don’t flatter yourself," she whispered back, though the words lacked conviction.

"Flatter myself?" Zade’s lips brushed her earlobe, sending sparks down her spine. "I see the way you respond to me. You crave my touch, my control. You’re just too stubborn to admit it."

“The only thing I crave is an end to this night.”

His voice became low and husky, seductive, as he pulled back just enough to give her room to breathe. "I need you by my side. We should have come down together.”

Ashlyn's eyes flashed with defiance. "You’re the one who didn’t wait, Zade. Don’t blame this on me."

He tightened his grip, not enough to hurt, but enough to assert his dominance. "You’re right, an error I deeply regret, and not because the Council will be even more suspicious of our engagement.”

“If you’re not worried about them, what is there to regret?”

Before she had time to protest, he kissed her again, dominant and unyielding until she melted into him. When he pulled back, they were both breathing hard. “I regret giving you a reason to doubt my sincerity. I never should have left you alone. I look forward to proving to everyone that you are a happily claimed woman.”

“And how are we supposed to do that? This is all fake, or have you forgotten already?” she whispered angrily through her teeth, careful not to move her lips any more than necessary. The music was loud enough she didn’t have to worry about being overheard, but she didn’t want to take any more chances.

“I have forgotten nothing, shenga . I told you before, the best way to convince the Council that you’ve been claimed is by choosing the male most capable of making you believe the same. I am happy to do that, as you are indeed mine, whether you admit it or not.”

Ashlyn’s heart stuttered with fear. Nervous anticipation. “How? What..what are you going to do?”

“I think you know.” Zade bent his head toward her, his lips soft as they brushed against the side of her neck. “I’m going to bury myself deep inside you, again and again, until every shred of doubt has been erased from your mind. There will be no place you can go where you won’t have memories of me taking you there. On the bed, in the shower, against the wall. Out there. In here. Anywhere. Everywhere. Hard. Slow. Fast. Rough. Always, my cock inside you. Filling you. Making you whole. There will be no you without me. There is only us. Together.”

Ashlyn flushed with heat. Her pulse was racing like a jackhammer, her breaths short and choppy. What was he doing to her? She had a vivid imagination, and right now his words were creating erotic visions in her mind she’d never get out. Her breasts ached for his touch, her nipples hard and tingling. Her inner channel pulsed with wanton abandon. She was wet. Ready.

He pulled her closer, his shaft hard against her belly. His thumb found her nipple through her dress and circled the tight bud. “Does this feel fake to you?”

She shivered at the sensations he effortlessly created, her resolve weakening. His whispered words triggered memories of the last time he’d asked her that question. Did this feel fake? No. His every touch, every whispered word stoked her desire a little higher. She wanted more. Desperately. That was the problem.

A soft gasp escaped her as his warm breath tickled her ear, sending a delicious shiver down her spine. The ballroom seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them in a world of their own.

Zade's hand slid from her waist to the small of her back, pulling her intimately closer to him. The heat of his body seeped through the layers of fabric, igniting a fire within her that she couldn't deny. His touch was both possessive and gentle, a contradiction that only added to the intoxicating power he held over her.

Before she could respond to Zade’s question, they were interrupted by a presence that made her skin crawl. They stopped dancing, but she didn’t pull away. For once, she was more than happy to stay safely attached to Zade’s very large, intimidating side as a tall, muscular man with dark red skin, black hair and calculating eyes approached them. Dressed impeccably in black finery, his demeanor exuded a predatory charm that set Ashlyn on edge.

"Ah, Prince Zade," the man said smoothly, his gaze lingering on Ashlyn. "I don’t believe we’ve met. I’m C’Nar Ubrion, C’Bor’s cousin."

Zade’s posture stiffened, his eyes narrowing. This was the man that Ashlyn, or rather, C’Bor’s widow, was supposed to marry. “C’Nar.”

Zade’s protective instincts roared to the surface. The Cappran smiled while his eyes spoke of death. They were cold. Merciless. Empty. Even if Ashlyn ultimately rejected Zade, he would never allow a depraved man like C’Nar to have her. Never, he vowed.

C’Nar’s smile widened as he stood there, although it never reached his eyes. "And this must be my cousin's grieving widow, the lovely Ashlyn. I’ve heard so much about you."

Ashlyn forced a polite smile, trying to ignore the unease crawling up her spine. And she’d thought Ocliver was bad. C’Nar made her skin literally feel as if a thousand tiny bugs crawled around, burrowing into her flesh. His voice, when he spoke, made her nauseous.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Ubrion."

C’Nar’s eyes gleamed with interest as he looked her over. "The pleasure, and good fortune, is all mine. There’s no need to be so formal. We’re family, after all. I must say, my cousin chose well, although I’m not at all surprised. He always chose the loveliest females to..spend his time with. I look forward to doing the same."

Zade’s grip on Ashlyn tightened possessively, his desire to punch C’Nar barely held in check. With an icy control he was far from feeling, he bit out, "Look elsewhere, C’Nar. She’ll never be yours."

C’Nar chuckled, a sound that grated on Ashlyn’s nerves. "Is that so? I’d say I have more than a fair chance. From what I hear, she was quite close to Prince Antonelius not too long ago. First you, then my cousin, followed by Prince Antonelius, and now back to you? We all saw your fiancé coming down the stairs, alone. Seems she still doesn’t know who she wants. Maybe it’s because she hasn’t found the man who can pleasure her properly, yet."

Ashlyn felt Zade’s anger radiate through his grip. He was about to explode. She moved infinitesimally closer, plastered herself against him, wrapped her arms around his waist and looked up at him adoringly, praying her acting skills would be good enough to diffuse the situation. “I still can’t believe you came down here without me, darling,” she gushed for the benefit of their audience. “I told you I wanted to look perfect for you tonight. It was taking so long because I was a little sore and moving slowly after..well..you know.”

She turned her head toward C’Nar and smiled. “Caldorians are just so..big. And dedicated to their tasks.” She opened her eyes wide and batted her lashes. “He’s every girl’s fantasy. I still can’t believe I let him go the first time. You’re right, though. Without Zade, I was lost. No other man could ever satisfy me the way he does. Hence the earlier confusion. Now that he’s come back, I’m all sorted out. Zade’s the only man for me.”

“Except my cousin, of course,” C’Nar smirked. “You wouldn’t have married C’Bor otherwise, would you? Cousin?”

Ashlyn stiffened. “Of course not. He’s not here, though, is he?”

“No, he most certainly is not.” With a lopsided grin, he added, “Which turns out to be my good fortune. I look forward to our marriage bed most eagerly.”

Faster than the human eye could track, Zade set Ashlyn aside and punched C’Nar in the face, shattering his nose. “Never.”

Blood pouring unchecked from his nose, C’Nar sneered, “Enjoy your last dance with my future wife, Caldorian. She may be yours for the moment. It doesn’t matter. By this time tomorrow night, she’ll be my doting wife.” With a curt nod toward Ashlyn, he turned on his heel and left the way he came.

Apprehension swirling in her chest, Ashlyn moved back to Zade and lifted a hand to cup his jaw, her thumb caressing his cheek. “Wow. That was intense. He gives me the willies. Just so you know, no matter what happens between you and I, no way will I ever marry that slime.”

Zade’s eyes met hers, dark and intense with a raw emotion that mirrored her own. “No one will touch you. No one will hurt you, least of all filth like C’Nar. It appears you are the only one who has not fully accepted this truth.” He lifted his free hand to cup her face, his thumb brushing over the corner of her kiss swollen lips.

“What truth?”

“You are mine, Ashlyn. Any man who tries to take you from me will die a slow and painful death.” He claimed her with a kiss, and she lost herself in front of everyone, clinging to him like he was her only anchor in a violent storm. The kiss was electric, like dipping a lit candle in gasoline. She went up in flames. The world around them faded, and all Ashlyn could feel was Zade—his heat, his strength, his desperate need to possess her. Her resolve crumbled as she melted into him, her hands clutching his shoulders for support.

Thank god he ended it because she lost track of where they were, who they were with, the sheer number of people watching. He pulled away, then held her up as she swayed toward him. Her mind felt warm and fuzzy, like she was three glasses into a bottle of champagne. She had to blink several times before she realized the room had gone silent. Watchful.

She turned her head toward the multitude of faces, all looking in their direction. As soon as she took note of their stares, everyone hastily turned to someone next to them and began speaking as if they hadn’t just been caught ogling her and Zade. Rude .

Still flustered, she looked up at Zade, who was watching her with a focused intensity that made her core wet and achy. She knew that look, knew exactly what it felt like to have all that attention focused on her. “Why did you do that?”

He leaned down and placed a quick, soft kiss on her lips. “To see that look in your eyes.”

“What look?”

He kissed her again. His hand, once on the side of her face, slipped to the back of her neck. He held her exactly where he wanted her. She should probably protest, but she didn’t truly want to be anywhere else. Except maybe alone with him, but that was a very dangerous train of thought.

When they finally broke apart, the room buzzed with renewed whispers. Zade kept his arm around her, his eyes never leaving hers. "Now, stay close. We have a lot of convincing to do."

Ashlyn nodded, her mind reeling from the kiss. This is dangerous. I need to stay focused.

As they moved through the ballroom, Zade’s touch was a constant reminder of his presence. Dinner came and went. They fed each other from the mounds of food piled atop their plates. Dish after dish was served. Conversations buzzed all around her. They mingled and danced. She went through it all in a fog.

He whispered in her ear, his voice low and seductive. "I can’t wait to get you alone, Ashlyn. To show you exactly what it means to belong to me."

Her breath hitched, the primal hunger in his voice igniting a fire within her. She hated how much she liked it, how her body responded to his every word. "You think you can just say things like that, and I’ll fall at your feet?" she asked breathlessly.

Zade’s laugh was dark and filled with promise. "I don’t think, shenga . I know."

They stopped in front of a group of Council members, all of whom eyed them with interest. Zade’s grip on her waist tightened as he addressed the group, his voice commanding. "Esteemed Council members, I’d like to formally introduce C’Bor’s widow, my fiancée and future princess of Caldor, Ashlyn Faro."

Ashlyn smiled politely, feeling the weight of their scrutiny. She could sense their curiosity, their doubt. She also felt Zade’s unwavering confidence, his belief in their ruse.

One of the Council members, a tall, imposing man named Sefros, stepped forward. "Prince Zade, Councilor Ubrion ,” he said, emphasizing her title and married name, “it’s a pleasure to meet you both. We’ve heard a lot about your...unexpected engagement."

Zade’s smile went cold. "Unexpected, perhaps. But very real."

Sefros nodded, his eyes sharp. "I’m sure it is. We’ll be watching closely to see how things progress."

As they moved away from the group, Zade’s hand slid lower on Ashlyn’s back, his touch possessive. "You’re doing great."

Ashlyn’s heart pounded as she felt the heat of his hand through the thin fabric of her gown. For the first time that evening, her confidence took a nosedive. "What happens when they find out the truth?"

Zade’s eyes darkened, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "You’re mine. That is the only truth they will find."

The raw intensity in his voice sent shivers down her spine. She wanted to resist, to push him away. But the truth was, she craved his touch, his dominance.

As the night wore on, the tension between them grew. Zade kept her close, his touch possessive, his whispers filled with dark promises. Despite her best efforts, Ashlyn couldn’t deny the pull he had on her, the way her body responded to his every word.

Finally, unable to take it any longer, Ashlyn pulled him aside, her voice a fierce whisper. "This has to stop, Zade. We can’t keep doing this. You’re taking things too far."

Zade’s eyes blazed with a mix of anger and desire. "Doing what, Ashlyn? Acting like we want each other, or pretending we don’t?"

She opened her mouth to argue, to deny the truth of his words, but the thought died on her lips as Zade tucked a long strand of hair behind her ear, the same one she was constantly fighting. The damn thing had a mind of its own and refused to stay where she put it. The intimacy made her heart flutter and sent a pang of longing through her. Why did his tenderness have to disarm her, make her go weak in the knees when she needed to strengthen her resolve, not melt in his arms?

"This connection between us. We belong together. You can’t deny it,” he murmured, his voice rough with need.

Ashlyn’s resolve crumbled under the intensity of his gaze. She wanted to deny it, to push him away. But the truth was, she couldn’t. She craved him, needed him in a way that scared her.

Zade’s eyes softened slightly, his voice filled with a tenderness she hadn’t expected. "Ashlyn, I know you’re scared. But I promise you, I’ll protect you. We’ll get through this together."

She looked into his eyes, seeing the sincerity there. And for the first time, she allowed herself to hope. To believe that maybe, just maybe, they could find a way to make this work.

But before she could respond, C’Nar’s creepy attorney, Ocliver, approached, his eyes gleaming with malice. "Prince Zade, Miss Ashlyn. I hope I’m not interrupting."

Zade’s grip on her tightened protectively. "What do you want, Ocliver?"

Ocliver’s smile was cold. "Just to remind you that this isn’t over. The Council will have the final say, and not everyone has been fooled by your performance tonight. We’ll be watching closely, and when you slip up, it’s your neck that will be in a noose, Caldorian. This is your last chance to forfeit and return home alive."

As Ocliver walked away, Ashlyn felt a chill run down her spine. She looked up at Zade, her heart pounding. "That sounds ominous. What are we going to do? What was he talking about?"

Zade’s eyes hardened with determination. "Nothing important. Tomorrow, we’re going to fight. And we’re going to win. Together. The seat on the Council is as good as ours. Ocliver knows it as well as I do, or he wouldn’t have come over here to try one last time to scare us into forfeiting early.”

Cold, hard reality slapped her in the face. Of course, this whole time Zade had been acting. The kisses, the heated looks. This was the game, the ruse, and he was a master player. He’d almost fooled her into believing he wanted only her. How could she have been so blind?

Ashlyn blinked away the tears welling in her eyes. The alternative was almost as bad. She couldn’t stay with him. Not on Cappra. Not on the Council. Zade also wasn’t going to walk away from all that power just to be with her.

So where did that leave her?

Same. Damn. Place.

Fucked.