and
they both shared startlingly pale pink irises. Jessica felt her broad smile
falter at the vision of loveliness that was Par’Nisis, and ruthlessly squashed
the spark of jealousy that flared to life in her breast at the thought that
this female could have been wed to Korian.
“Miss MacGregor, I am very pleased to make your
acquaintance,” the noblewoman greeted her, her voice deep and husky like
whiskey over ice. “What a shock and pleasant surprise for our king to treat us
to your presence. I cannot believe I failed to recognize you during the
ceremony, but then, I never dreamed that our king would be capable of breaking
the rules of the Great Alliance in order to bring you here.”
Jessica smiled sweetly while internally seething at her
passive-aggressive praise of their king. She forced herself to laugh lightly
and replied airily, “Oh, it was no trouble, actually, once I got past the
initial shock. In fact, I was flattered and quite eager to meet the T’Kalan
citizens that are such big fans of my work.”
Par’Nisis simpered and interjected into the conversation. “I
am very eager to learn more about your charming little planet, Jessica. Tell
me, is it true that your people still travel in conveyances with wheels?” She
laughed as if she couldn’t possibly believe such a thing.
Jessica’s eyes narrowed, but she nodded agreeably. “Yes,
most of our transportation is still dependent upon wheels, but we do have
conveyances that fly through the air, as well.”
Zandar, perhaps sensing her discomfort, changed the subject.
“Jessica has been learning about our own culture since her arrival. Just
yesterday, I escorted her to the marketplace so she could observe our wares.
She even returned back to the compound with a bimbop youngling.”
Rox’Ana’s eyebrows climbed up her forehead. “You mean to say
that the king did not escort you himself? I find myself surprised that he entrusted
your safety to another warrior, especially if he claimed you under Captive Law.
Have you even seen much of our young king since your arrival?”
Jessica traded loaded glances with Zandar. “As I’m sure you
know, the king has been very busy with the fallout from the attack on our ship.
His hospitality has been flawless, though, and my every need has been attended
to whether by his staff or his warriors.”
Her lips quirked nastily and her daughter barely stifled a
snort. “Yes, I am sure he has been quite accommodating with his efforts.
However, should you deign to do me the honor of hosting you for the next month,
I would be happy to introduce you to the more… civilized aspects of
T’Kalan society. You will find that the noble class and delegates from our
cities have much more to offer other than blood, sweat, and fighting.”
She ignored Zandar’s clenched fist at the small of her back
and smiled for all she was worth. “That sounds wonderful, Rox’Ana. I am honored
to be your guest and would be thrilled to find out more about your fascinating
noble class. Please send me a transmission with dates and times and I will
inform the king that I will be off his hands while you take over the burden of
my visit.”
With a smug look of triumph, Rox’Ana and her vapid daughter
sailed away into the crowd. Zandar steered her away from several other nobles
headed her way and managed to secure a table in the corner where they could
speak with relative privacy.
“More civilized, my ass,” he growled. “Believe me, her sharp
tongue has spilled more blood than all our warrior blades put together.”
Jessica took a much needed draught from her glass of wine
and patted his arm comfortingly. “Back on Earth, women like her are a dime a
dozen.” At Zandar’s puzzled look, she clarified, “They are everywhere,
especially in Hollywood. Don’t worry about her. I’ve got her number, and I know
just how to play her.”
Zandar leaned in closer to her and whispered
conspiratorially, “I have no doubts about your skills,
they both shared startlingly pale pink irises. Jessica felt her broad smile
falter at the vision of loveliness that was Par’Nisis, and ruthlessly squashed
the spark of jealousy that flared to life in her breast at the thought that
this female could have been wed to Korian.
“Miss MacGregor, I am very pleased to make your
acquaintance,” the noblewoman greeted her, her voice deep and husky like
whiskey over ice. “What a shock and pleasant surprise for our king to treat us
to your presence. I cannot believe I failed to recognize you during the
ceremony, but then, I never dreamed that our king would be capable of breaking
the rules of the Great Alliance in order to bring you here.”
Jessica smiled sweetly while internally seething at her
passive-aggressive praise of their king. She forced herself to laugh lightly
and replied airily, “Oh, it was no trouble, actually, once I got past the
initial shock. In fact, I was flattered and quite eager to meet the T’Kalan
citizens that are such big fans of my work.”
Par’Nisis simpered and interjected into the conversation. “I
am very eager to learn more about your charming little planet, Jessica. Tell
me, is it true that your people still travel in conveyances with wheels?” She
laughed as if she couldn’t possibly believe such a thing.
Jessica’s eyes narrowed, but she nodded agreeably. “Yes,
most of our transportation is still dependent upon wheels, but we do have
conveyances that fly through the air, as well.”
Zandar, perhaps sensing her discomfort, changed the subject.
“Jessica has been learning about our own culture since her arrival. Just
yesterday, I escorted her to the marketplace so she could observe our wares.
She even returned back to the compound with a bimbop youngling.”
Rox’Ana’s eyebrows climbed up her forehead. “You mean to say
that the king did not escort you himself? I find myself surprised that he entrusted
your safety to another warrior, especially if he claimed you under Captive Law.
Have you even seen much of our young king since your arrival?”
Jessica traded loaded glances with Zandar. “As I’m sure you
know, the king has been very busy with the fallout from the attack on our ship.
His hospitality has been flawless, though, and my every need has been attended
to whether by his staff or his warriors.”
Her lips quirked nastily and her daughter barely stifled a
snort. “Yes, I am sure he has been quite accommodating with his efforts.
However, should you deign to do me the honor of hosting you for the next month,
I would be happy to introduce you to the more… civilized aspects of
T’Kalan society. You will find that the noble class and delegates from our
cities have much more to offer other than blood, sweat, and fighting.”
She ignored Zandar’s clenched fist at the small of her back
and smiled for all she was worth. “That sounds wonderful, Rox’Ana. I am honored
to be your guest and would be thrilled to find out more about your fascinating
noble class. Please send me a transmission with dates and times and I will
inform the king that I will be off his hands while you take over the burden of
my visit.”
With a smug look of triumph, Rox’Ana and her vapid daughter
sailed away into the crowd. Zandar steered her away from several other nobles
headed her way and managed to secure a table in the corner where they could
speak with relative privacy.
“More civilized, my ass,” he growled. “Believe me, her sharp
tongue has spilled more blood than all our warrior blades put together.”
Jessica took a much needed draught from her glass of wine
and patted his arm comfortingly. “Back on Earth, women like her are a dime a
dozen.” At Zandar’s puzzled look, she clarified, “They are everywhere,
especially in Hollywood. Don’t worry about her. I’ve got her number, and I know
just how to play her.”
Zandar leaned in closer to her and whispered
conspiratorially, “I have no doubts about your skills,
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