Chapter 4
Planet Narenda
The Gallant thudded onto the landing pad late in the next cycle and, without warning, listed to the side.
Gweneth, who had already unbuckled her seat harness, flew off balance, and Ellard’s arm snapped out to grab her.
An arrow of pain transmitted from his artificial arm and down his shoulder, and then Gweneth plopped into his lap, jolting the discomfort from his mind.
“As much as I enjoy cuddling with you, I think the delegation from the chieftain’s office is waiting for us.”
Her eyes twinkled and her warm weight felt so right he had to bite back a groan and resist dragging her even closer.
She smelled of flowers and sunshine, but he caught a hint of feline, and his cat took notice.
Stronger than the cycle before, it called to him, tempted him to wallow and play with the scent.
“Ellard, are you listening to me?”
“Yes. We need to go and meet the delegation and fulfill our mission.”
She patted his cheek, her touch like a caress. “Let’s do this.”
Ellard ran one hand through his hair, mystified as he helped her to her feet.
Half the time, he didn’t understand her.
Shiloh had told him the proximity with Camryn and Earth ways had rubbed off on the Indy crew.
He removed his safety harness and stood, careful with his balance since it appeared the ship had sustained damage to the landing gear.
“Do you require assistance?” The rich masculine voice came from behind them.
Gwen started and rammed into him. Ellard whirled them both to face the intruder.
“Who are you? How did you get on our ship?” Gweneth demanded, taking care of the interrogation before Ellard had a chance. He growled and slid his arm around her waist—a let-me-take-care-of-it gesture that got lost in the translation. Their communication skills required work.
Ellard eyed the new arrival. His face was very pale—white really—while his cheeks were flushed with delicate pink.
His white eyes with glacier-blue pupils held amusement while his hands, raised in front of him, held no weapons.
Long white hair hung in curls to his shoulders, and he wore tight black trews and a flowing white shirt.
A colorfully embroidered waistcoat in red and green topped his shirt and it glittered in the light cast from the planet’s nearest star.
Ellard stared a fraction harder. Were those valuable stones in the design?
“I beg your pardon.” The new arrival bowed from the waist. “I did not wish to intrude, but Ransom and I were concerned when we saw the state of your ship’s hull.”
“You are part of the Narenda delegation?” Ellard regarded him with suspicion while Gweneth relaxed against him and showed no desire to move.
“Yes, do forgive me. I am Niran Vasilakis, leader of the Incorporeals who also lives on Narenda along with the Drake Tribe.”
“I’m Gweneth Swithin, and this is Ellard Tetsu.” Gweneth took charge again. “As you can see we have had an interesting journey. We will be out shortly.”
“Of course,” Niran said smoothly. “We anticipate the formal introductions with joy.” As he finished speaking, his form faded until nothing remained. The man had vanished.
“Well, that was interesting. Ghosts. Did you know about another race?”
“No. We’ll have to take care when we speak in private. Anyone might be listening if they can pop in and out at will.”
“True, but it’s not as if we’re full of trade secrets. We come in peace and hope to entice them to participate in our festival. This is turning more interesting by the sec. A handsome male. I’m going to have plenty of chances to test my flirting skills.”
“No—”
“Ellard, they’re waiting for us. No time for a discussion.” She pulled from his protective embrace and carefully made her way from the bridge to the exit ramp.
Ellard followed, his feline grumbling at him. Neither of them had enjoyed the way Niran had looked at Gweneth or the speculation in his gaze. Maybe they had a shortage of females on this planet, and if so, they were not keeping Gweneth.
Gweneth belonged with him. She— He broke off the thought with a scowl and stomped down the exit ramp stairs.
The woman was screwing with his mind. His gaze followed her as she strode over to Niran and the big male standing beside him.
He imagined her smile and increased the length of his strides into the clammy heat of the planet.
“Hello,” Gweneth said. “We’re pleased to arrive on Narenda.”
“We can see that,” the second male said. “I am Ransom Drake, chieftain to the tribe. Would you like my repair team to look at your ship? You won’t be able to leave with it in that condition.”
A big male of an equal height to him, Ellard smelled the other part of him.
The dragon shifter smelled of amber—warm, musky, and of honey, yet with a hint of burning and earth.
A black tattoo of a dragon coiled around and down his right arm, and a scar went from the corner of his right eye and down his cheek.
He wore arrogance around his shoulders like a cloak, which made Ellard’s feline rumble to meet the challenge, especially since Gweneth seemed smitten by the handsome dragon shifter.
She sighed and made no secret of her interest. Ransom’s grin widened.
“Thank you. That would be much appreciated.” Ellard decided to wrest the lead and attention from Gweneth.
“Ellard Tetsu.” He extended his hand palm up to show he carried no visible weapons and came in peace.
He placed a hand on Gweneth’s shoulder. “This is Gweneth Swithin, who came up with the idea we’re about to put to you. ”
“I believe you have already met Niran. Come. We will have refreshments and conduct our business before we give you a tour of our town. We have arranged accommodation for you.”
“We didn’t come prepared for an extended stay,” Gweneth said. “Is there somewhere we can purchase a few necessities?”
Niran smiled at them, a blaze of approval, which prodded Ellard’s battle senses to the fore. “We have everything you require.”
“This way,” Ransom said with a charming bow. At least Gweneth found it charming because she issued another of those sighs.
Ellard bit back his snarl and nodded, then he and Gweneth followed the two males.
Although he’d never met a dragon shifter in person, his father had told tales of their ferocity during battles.
They were a private race, and their invitation to visit still surprised him.
With Ransom’s looks, most females would take a second glance, despite his casual clothing of lightweight trews and plain blue shirt.
Ellard reserved judgment on the arrogance since a leader required strength and confidence to lead.
Whether he was trustworthy, they’d soon discover, but he decided to take him at face value—for the moment. As for Gweneth…
He frowned inwardly. Wasn’t this what he wanted?
“I hope you don’t mind a stroll. We are not far from my quarters,” Ransom said. “Mostly, if we wish to travel any distance, we shift and fly.”
“Not an option for us.” Gweneth offered a cheeky grin. “But if you wish to exercise your wings, go right ahead. I’ve never seen a dragon shifter before and would love to before we leave.”
“Gweneth,” Ellard warned.
Ransom laughed, an infectious sound that made Ellard want to join the joke. “I value openness and honesty.”
Ellard’s back prickled as he followed Gweneth and the two males down a gravel track that wound between lush plantings of flowers.
Beyond, trees filled the landscape, and on the horizon, a range of mountains thrust up from the landscape like jagged teeth.
The sweet scent of the flowers lay heavy in the air.
White. Red. Purple. Blue. The shades ran the gamut and made for attractive surroundings after the dust generated by numerous building sites on Viros.
“We directed you to land near my estate rather than in the town,” Ransom said over his shoulder. “We will show you the town later, but it will be easier to conduct our business discussions here.”
The track widened. Ellard wiped the sweat off his forehead and strode along beside Niran.
While he listened to the man discuss the main town and its amenities, part of his mind attempted to follow Ransom’s discussion with Gweneth.
Both males had brightened on seeing her, and he now struggled with jealousy.
He had no right, given he kept pushing her away.
He knew that, but try telling this to his agitated feline.
“Ah.” Niran’s pale cheeks glowed with pink. He lifted his nose and drew in the air in the way a feline did to scent. “Delicious.”
“Pardon?” Ellard frowned at the man’s tone. It was…weird, he decided. The man appeared… He hesitated again. Sexually sated was the word that came to mind, yet he hadn’t appeared that way when he and Gweneth disembarked from their ship.
“Have you never heard of my race before?” The corners of Niran’s eyes crinkled, and he emanated agreeable humor and joy.
Yep, plain weird.
“No,” Ellard said.
A loud whop-whop overhead had him flinching. He managed to hold back his gasp but felt his eyes widen at the immense scarlet dragon that dive-bombed toward them. A smaller royal-blue dragon lagged behind, its stubby wings working at double time to keep it above the treetops.
Niran chuckled, the rich sound pulling at Ellard and inducing him to share in the joke.
The scarlet dragon opened its mouth, and a blaze of flames shot free.
“Cut it out,” Ransom ordered, a snap in his voice.
The royal-blue dragon opened its mouth, and a smaller, less impressive blast of flames emerged. This dragon lacked the same control, and the flames ran along the treetops. Several dry twigs caught fire, and the blue dragon squeaked.
“Gryffnn,” Ransom roared. “Come back and put out this fire.”
“Who is that?” Gweneth asked, awe in her voice.