Savannah

Ryon and I burst through the entrance to the central square, laughing and practically tripping over each other in our giddy celebration. Our team had won the scavenger hunt, and the thrill of victory coursed through me like an electric current.

"We did it!" I exclaimed, throwing my arms up in triumph.

Before I knew it, Ryon had scooped me up, his powerful wings beating the air as he spun me around. The world blurred in a kaleidoscope of colors, and my stomach fluttered with a mix of exhilaration and something else entirely.

As he slowed to a stop, our eyes locked, and time seemed to stand still. His golden irises burned with an intensity that took my breath away. Instinctively, I reached up, my fingers tracing the curve of his beak, marveling at the smooth texture.

My breath hitched, feeling the heat radiating from him, his unique scent of spice and sky flooding my senses.

Ryon's beak brushed my neck, sending shivers down my spine. Instinctively, I tilted my head, my pulse hammering beneath my skin where his touch lingered. His breath, warm and soft, whispered across my flesh, igniting a fire deep within me.

Then, something warm and wet traced a path along my neck. Ryon's tongue, thick and textured, left my nerves tingling in its wake. A breathy moan slipped from my lips, desire coiling tight in my core. His wings wrapped around me, pulling me flush against his firm chest. I melted into his embrace, completely lost in the sensations overwhelming me.

And then, just as abruptly, he was gone. Cool air rushed in as he set me down, his wings snapping back. He spun away, leaving me standing there, my skin still tingling with the ghost of his touch.

I stood frozen, my chest heaving as the world slowly came back into focus. What the heck just happened? Ryon's touch had ignited a fire within me, a yearning so intense it left me dizzy.

Heat crept up my face as flashes of that intimate moment replayed in my mind. The firm strength of his embrace. The spicy, musky scent of him surrounding me. The molten heat in his gaze. I shivered, my fingers trembling as they brushed against the sensitive skin of my neck.

Get a grip, Savannah. You're a professional.

I tore my eyes away from Ryon's retreating form, blinking rapidly to clear the haze of desire clouding my thoughts. Focus, Savannah. Job first, flirt later. Smoothing my hands over my rumpled clothes, I willed my heart rate to settle and my flushed cheeks to cool.

Movement in my peripheral vision caught my attention. Sharlar and Helko strode into the square, bickering like an old married couple with their arms full of shopping bags.

"How could we have lost?" Sharlar teased, her feathers puffing up in mock indignation. "Aren't we the natives here?"

Helko tilted his head, looking down at Sharlar with a smirk. "Maybe I was just too distracted by your charming presence to focus." He dipped into an elegant bow. "I apologize for letting you down. It won't happen again."

Sharlar's eyes flashed with a mix of surprise and something softer, warmer. She opened her beak, probably to deliver a sharp retort, but then her gaze landed on me, and the words seemed to die on her tongue.

I watched, holding my breath, as her eyes flicked between Ryon and me, assessing. Had she seen our little moment? Panic gripped me, but her next words brushed aside my fears.

"Well, it seems the human was a worthy ally after all," she declared, her expression settling into one of begrudging approval. "You fought valiantly, Savannah Mendell."

The knot in my chest loosened as I exhaled slowly. "I had a good partner," I replied, my voice steadier than I felt. I risked a glance at Ryon, but his back was turned, his body stiff with tension.

"Indeed," Helko agreed with a nod toward his brother. "Ryon has always been resourceful."

An awkward silence fell over the group, and I seized the opportunity to clear my throat. "Looks like tonight's activities were a hit," I began, trying to sound casual. "You both seem a lot more at ease with each other."

Twin looks of surprise greeted my words as Sharlar and Helko turned to regard each other. Some unspoken understanding passed between them before Helko inclined his head.

"You're quite perceptive, Miss Mendell," he said at last. "I'll admit, this... unconventional approach has done more to help us get properly acquainted than I would have guessed."

"Perhaps." Sharlar's gaze drifted to the elegant fountain, her expression unreadable. "Tonight has been… almost enjoyable."

Finally.

For all the confusion and chaos stirred in my heart by Ryon's actions, I'd still managed to achieve my goal. These two stubborn individuals were finally starting to see each other, to connect on a level deeper than obligation.

It was a start.

I stretchedout on the ridiculously soft bed, the sheets whispering against my skin like they were sharing secrets. Even after a full night's sleep, the memories of the previous evening clung to me like a second skin. Ryon's smoldering gaze, the way his firm body pressed against mine, his wings wrapping around us like a private cocoon. And oh, the way his tongue left a trail of tingling desire wherever it touched.

Heat crept up my neck as I replayed the dizzying moments, then I scolded myself.

What was I doing? I couldn't let myself get swept away by a fleeting attraction, no matter how intense it felt.

A soft chime snapped me out of my reverie. I sat up, the sheets pooling around my waist as the door slid open with a faint hiss. In walked Ranna, Ryon's younger sister, balancing a tray that looked like it could topple her over any second.

"Good morning!" she chirped, her voice bright and cheerful. She bobbed into the room, her iridescent feathers rustling with eagerness. "I brought you breakfast!"

I yanked a throw over my shoulders as she set the tray on the low table with a flourish. Up close, I could see the curious assortment of dishes—a steaming bowl of something that might be porridge, a plate piled with vibrant fruits and what looked like flaky pastries, and a tall glass filled with a thick, purplish liquid.

"I looked up traditional human breakfast foods," Ranna explained, her feathered crest bobbing as she spoke, "but I'm not sure if I got everything right."

I bit back a grin as I surveyed the spread. It was clearly an attempt at mimicking a human breakfast, but the result was...unique, to say the least.

"This looks amazing, Ranna. Thanks so much." I kept my tone warm, not wanting to squash her enthusiasm. "I"m sure everything will be delicious."

Ranna"s eyes sparkled with delight. "I can"t wait to hear all about human cuisine. And your planet! What"s it like living on Earth?"

As she settled down cross-legged on the plush rug, a wave of homesickness washed over me. How do you even begin to describe the sheer diversity of Earth's landscapes and cultures?

"Well," I began, picking up a piece of the violet-hued fruit, "Earth is incredibly vibrant, full of variety..."

I launched into a whirlwind tour of Earth as Ranna listened with rapt attention, firing off rapid questions about everything from seasons to plant life. Her genuine curiosity was infectious, momentarily pushing aside my tangled emotions.

Ranna"s gaze fell on the strange, viscous drink. "Oh! I almost forgot the drinking delicacy." She grabbed the tall glass and handed it to me with both hands. "They said this was a very important part of the human morning ritual."

I accepted the heavy cup and peered at the thick, syrupy liquid inside. A pungent, almost spoiled-fruit smell wafted up, making me fight back a grimace. I didn't want to hurt Ranna's feelings.

"This is...very thoughtful," I said, forcing a smile. "Though I must admit, I"m not sure what it is."

"It"s a traditional Vorinax breakfast beverage," Ranna said cheerfully. "The vendor said it was the human equivalent of "coffee.""

I barely stifled a laugh. No matter what this was, she'd tried so hard.

"Well, in that case..." Steeling myself, I raised the glass in a mock toast before taking a cautious sip. Instantly, my mouth was assaulted by a mix of sour and savory flavors—sweet, overripe berries mingled with a yeasty undertone. It was like drinking fermented jam with a hint of blue cheese and cinnamon.

I struggled to keep my expression neutral as the thick liquid coated my tongue. Definitely an...acquired taste.

"Mmm, delicious!" The lie tumbled out before I could catch it. Ranna's whole posture was so eager, so proud of her breakfast, I just couldn't crush her spirit. "You've totally nailed those, uh, bold flavors humans love at breakfast."

"What did you and Ryon get up to last night? I saw the way he was looking at you."

Heat flooded my cheeks, and I nearly choked on the ‘coffee.' Ryon"s intense stare, the scorching heat of his touch—it all came rushing back, leaving me flustered and breathless.

"We... we were just enjoying the night market," I stammered, hoping Ranna couldn"t detect the rapid pounding of my heart. "Ryon was being a good host, showing me around."

Ranna"s feathers fluttered, and she leaned forward conspiratorially. "And what did you think of my brother?"

The question hung in the air, heavy with implication. What did I think of Ryon? The truth was, I didn"t know what to think. His touch had awakened desires I thought long buried, igniting a fire that threatened to consume me if I let it burn unchecked.

But there was more to it than just physical attraction. Ryon"s wit, his charm, his unwavering loyalty to his family—they all drew me in, making me crave a deeper connection with this enigmatic, captivating being.

"He's..." I faltered, grasping for a way to encapsulate Ryon Zorax's enigma. "Fascinating. Surprising. Unlike anyone I've ever met."

The understatement left me dissatisfied even as the words tumbled out. But how could I give voice to the thoughts and emotions that still left me reeling?

Ranna giggled, misinterpreting my hesitation. "That's just Ryon being Ryon. Mother says he's always been the rebellious one." Her feathered crest bobbed conspiratorially. "I think he likes keeping people guessing."

I managed a faint smile, a mix of amusement and relief at her assumption. Let her think I found her brother merely... unpredictable. It was safer than acknowledging the deepening pull I felt toward him.

As Ranna chattered on, my thoughts drifted, replaying the events of the previous evening. The unexpected sparks between Sharlar and Helko, the way their initial stiffness had gradually melted into a tentative comfort. The first fragile blossoms of understanding, if not affection.

Well then. Finally, something seemed to be taking root between the reluctant couple. Perhaps this ill-conceived marriage might hold reserves of passion yet.

But what did that mean for me and my role here? I was a professional, hired to orchestrate the grand affair that would bind their families. Could I truly remain objective, a mere observer crafting their dream when my own desires had become so muddled?

The memory of Ryon's intense gaze, the way his body burned against mine, made my heart do somersaults. How was I supposed to stay neutral when every part of me was screaming to see where this could go?

A soft knock at the door yanked me out of my daydream. My heart skipped a beat as Ranna jumped to her feet like a spring-loaded toy.

"Come in!" she chirped, her feathers fluffing up in excitement.

The door slid open with a quiet swoosh, and there he was—Ryon, looking like he just stepped out of a dream, bathed in the morning glow. My chest tightened as our eyes locked, a spark igniting between us. For a brief, magic moment, it felt like we were the only two beings in the universe.

His gaze traveled over me slowly, and I could practically feel my skin heating up under his intense scrutiny.

Ranna's cheerful chatter cut through the charged silence. "Good morning, Ryon! Look, I tried making Savannah a traditional human breakfast. At least, I think I did."

She launched into an enthusiastic recap of her kitchen adventures, but her words barely registered. My senses were totally hijacked by Ryon's presence, the magnetic pull of his stare stirring something deep inside me that I didn't even know was there.

Ranna suddenly went quiet. The silence stretched awkwardly until she cleared her throat with an odd, strangled trill.

"Well! I'll just leave you two alone then." She gave me a knowing look before slipping past Ryon and disappearing down the hall.

The door hissed shut behind her, leaving Ryon and me alone in the thick, tension-filled air. My heart pounded in my ears as I tried to find the right words to break the electric silence between us.

And then, just like that, the tension fizzled as he blinked and looked away. "I should've waited for you to get dressed."

Oh.

I clutched the throw tighter around me, my cheeks flaming, but his next words hit me like a bucket of ice water.

"I need to talk to you."