Chapter 4

Chapter

Four

Ruune

I strode into the lobby of The Plaza Hotel, pausing at the sight of the massive tree dominating the space. It wasn’t as massive as the one in the Drexian space station, but this one was most definitely not holographic. The ornate ceiling was high, but the tree almost brushed the top, glittering ornaments hanging from branches and lights twinkling.

"What is that smell?" I muttered, wrinkling my nose at the unfamiliar aroma.

A small human child, barely reaching my knee, stood to one side and looked up at me with saucer-wide eyes. “Haven’t you ever smelled a Christmas tree before?”

I blinked down at the tiny creature. I hadn’t. “I have only seen holographic holiday trees made of light that appears to be matter.”

The child's mouth fell open, clearly baffled by my statement. But then the larger human female with the child hurried him away, throwing nervous glances over her shoulder.

I inhaled again, breathing in what I now knew was the smell of tree. It wasn’t bad, even though I still did not understand the custom of digging up foliage and bringing it inside. I glanced around, taking in more than the tree surrounded by wrapped boxes. Glittering chandeliers hung from gilded ceilings, their light dancing off polished marble floors, and soft, melodious music drifted through the air, creating an atmosphere of refined elegance.

The opulence of the place was impressive, even by Valorian standards, and I was grateful to be inside after my trip through the city. Manhattan was a writhing mass of humanity that made even the busiest spaceports seem tame in comparison. It reminded me somewhat of Carvara V, but without the convenience of flying transportation pods. The streets in this alien city teemed with vehicles and pedestrians, a constant flow of movement that both intrigued and overwhelmed me.

Despite being used to strange new cities, weariness tugged at my bones, a lingering effect of the space jump required to reach the planet. The journey had been punctuated by moments of gut-wrenching disorientation as we tore through the fabric of space-time to shorten the trip, and my stomach still lurched at the memory.

The door behind me opened, and a blast of cold entered along with a laughing couple. I shivered slightly, regretting my choice of attire. The Drexian pilot had warned me about the cold, but I'd stubbornly insisted I'd be fine without a heavy coat or a thing humans called a scarf. Pride before comfort, as always.

I stepped further inside and pulled out my communication device, following the directions Griff had sent to locate his domicile. He’d explained that he did not have a palace while he was visiting Earth, although this hotel seemed close to one as I walked to the left and took in the opulent decor of a bar and sitting area. Well-dressed humans sat around small tables and lifted colorful cocktails that caught the light of the ornate chandeliers.

My boots slapped against the polished floor, and I couldn't help but notice the numerous glances and double-takes from the humans as I made my way past the bustling front desk, ignoring the whispers and stares that followed in my wake.

Let them look—I was used to admiration. My blue skin, a source of pride on Valoria, was clearly a novelty here. It reminded me of the Drexian chauffeur's words as we'd driven through the city.

"Your cousin caused quite a stir," he'd said, gesturing to the occasional poster or newspaper stand featuring Griff's face. "The whole city's been buzzing about him for days."

I'd smirked at that. If they thought Griff had caused a stir, they were in for a real surprise with me. Griff had always been the shy and serious one. If they’d been impressed with him, they would have plenty to print about me.

Returning my thoughts to my route, I stepped into the elevator that Griff had told me to take, although it proved to be a disappointment. The same soft music played inside the small compartment that did in the rest of the hotel, but the compartment did not loop or shoot to the side like the inclinators on the Drexian space station. "No sudden drops?” I said under my breath as I traveled gently to the higher floor. “Boring."

Exiting onto the designated floor, I sank into plush carpeting that muffled my footsteps. Fresh flowers topped a folded table in front of me, but I walked past it as Griff had instructed. The hallway stretched before me, lined with ornate sconces that cast a warm glow over richly-papered walls. The air here was perfumed with a different scent—something floral and delicate.

I walked briskly down the hall and turned, colliding with something large and unwieldy. “Apologies,” I said, steadying myself and gazing at the woman behind an enormous cart. "That's quite a haul you've got. Planning on staying a while?"

The woman stepped from behind the cart, and was dressed in a crisp, black- and-white dress. She looked at me oddly. "This is a cleaning cart."

When I didn’t respond, she added, “I am a maid.”

Heat rushed to my face, an unusual sensation for a Valorian. "Ah. Of course. Carry on then."

Smooth, Ruune. Very smooth.

Even so, I gave her my most charming smile before I continued down the hushed hallway and read the gold numbers on each door to myself. When I reached the correct door, I sighed and rapped my knuckles against it sharply.

The door swung open, revealing my cousin's grinning face. "Ruune! You made it!"

I almost sagged with relief, unaware how much I’d missed my cousin until he was tugging me into an embrace.

I returned his embrace. “It is good to see you well, cousin.”

When Griff released me he ushered me inside. “I am more than well. I am happier than I have ever been.”

The last time I’d seen the future ruler of our world, he’d been solemn and intense, the weight of his responsibilities dragging him down as if they were heavy chains around his neck. Now he looked taller and lighter and unmistakably happy.

“I am glad. I hear that a female might be the reason, but I won’t believe it until I see it.”

“Will you believe me?”

I swiveled my gaze to a beautiful female with pale hair that fell around her shoulders. Her smile was as filled with as much joy as Griff’s as she walked over to slip her hand into his.

Griff looked down at her and gave her a smile so tender that I felt like I was intruding on a private moment. “Ruune, this is my mate, Caroline."

Instantly, my royal training returned to me. I was being introduced to the future queen of Valoria. I bowed low, one knee scraping the floor, as I took her hand and brushed my lips across her knuckles. "Enchanted, my queen.”

She giggled. “I’m not a queen yet.”

“Get up, cousin.” Griff’s voice was teasing. “And stop kissing my female.”

I rose and dropped Caroline’s hand before shooting my cousin a grin. “Now I can see why you are suddenly so eager to take a mate.”

“And I see why you said he was the charmer.” Caroline said to Griff. Her cheeks had turned an intriguing shade of pink, a reaction I'd have to investigate further in human females.

“You told her about me?” I asked, sliding my smile to Caroline.

“Warned her is more like it,” Griff said as he shook his head.

I clutched my chest in mock dismay. "Cousin, you wound me! I'll have you know I'm a paragon of virtue and restraint."

Griff snorted. "Says the Valorian who once tried to charm his way into the royal harem on Zanthos IV."

"How was I supposed to know they were all married to the empress?" I protested. "Besides, she seemed open to the idea of sharing—"

"This is your last chance."

A new voice cut through our banter, sending a jolt down my spine.

I turned slowly, my eyes landing on the woman standing in the doorway who was all dark hair, flashing eyes, and long legs. My heart did a strange flip in my chest.

Last chance, indeed.