Chapter 5
FIVE
Tagja City had been ruled by various branches of Virak’s family since before Virilia was struck by the meteor that changed its climate.
He explained a little of this as he escorted Jessa from the palace and into the winding corridors of the city.
This had always been a city, even long ago when Virilians lived on the surface of the once lush planet.
“The Braal family—my family—was considered odd for building their kingdom below ground,” he explained to her.
He chose a route that roughly followed the stream, which flowed throughout the city and was the reason why the city was built there.
“But when the climate changed, Tagja City became a refuge for many.”
She gazed at the artwork on the walls with interest. “Is that why there are so many images depicting forests and outdoor scenes?”
He nodded. “Today, this city is a living museum to an ancient time that is lost.”
“It’s beautiful,” she murmured. “And it’s impressive that this stream remains clear and unpolluted with so many people living beside it.”
“The stream is sacred to us. It was believed to have healing properties.”
“Does it?”
He smiled. “No. It is just a stream, but it is an important water source, so we protect it.” He led her through the wide, high-arching corridors that wound through the city.
They passed vendors of all sorts and homes—all of which were carved from the stone. The stream passed through some homes, and thus out of sight now and then, but the deeper they journeyed into the city, the wider the stream became.
Jessa nodded to two elderly Virilian women sitting beside the stream, sipping from thick earthenware cups.
They smiled back, gazing curiously at the king and the human female wandering through the city.
Virak knew his presence would be met with stares and surprise.
He did not regularly wander the city. The king of their neighbor, Exir City, spent far more time among his people, but Drex was a different type of king and Exir was a different type of city.
Nevertheless, he was surprised at how much pride and pleasure he took from showing Jessa the land his people had inhabited for thousands of years. Their walk wasn’t entirely random. As they circled back around, approaching the palace, there was something he was excited to show her.
Anticipation thrummed through him as he stopped them in front of a pair of opaque glass doors. “This is a place I think you’ll like.”
She looked up at him with an open, curious expression. “What is it?”
He stepped close to the doors, and they opened. “Come.”
They walked through a dark hallway, narrower than the rest. He felt Jessa walk close to him in the dim light. He tensed, but she did not touch him. Then, the space opened up, and they entered his favorite place in the whole of Tagja City.
He turned his gaze to Jessa, eager to see her reaction. He was not disappointed.
“Wow,” she breathed. Awe turned her voice wispy. “I…can’t…even.”
Virak allowed himself a smug smile. They stood at the edge of a massive chamber filled with plants and teeming with creatures.
The stream meandered through here, too, trickling against the rock channel it had carved over the millennia.
The ceiling soared high above them, made of massive slabs of gailite, a clear rock that was, in fact, a natural formation here.
“This is the Sanctuary,” he said. “It used to be part of the palace—the throne room, in fact, but I had it converted.” He gazed around at the lush, vibrant space with the same sense of satisfaction he always felt when he entered it.
Many sets of eyes peered at him from trees, holes in rocks, the camouflage of thick vegetation.
“Some plants are poisonous to us but are vital food sources for some who live here,” he advised mildly.
“And most of the creatures do not like to be touched. They are wild, not pets.”
“Of course. No problem.” She wandered down a gravel path, looking around with pure wonder. They were not alone. A trio of Virilian males sat on stone benches, talking and laughing. A very old Virilian female slowly made her way down a path, leaning on a cane.
“Where did all this come from?” Jessa asked. “Are these animals native to this planet?”
“No.” He followed a few steps behind her, keeping his barbed tail well away from the loose fabric of her pants.
“These are all beings that were confiscated from trading posts. We have strong trafficking laws on this planet, but they are disregarded by some. Some of these creatures would have been sold because of medicinal properties, and many are being slaughtered to extinction.”
“So you bring them here?”
“Some are returned to their planet of origin or another safe place. Some require different environmental conditions or are incompatible with the species that are already here,” he explained. “But those who can live here and have no other safe habitat are brought here, yes.”
“I bet you find homes for the creatures you can’t keep.”
He shifted on his feet, beginning to feel itchy from her questions. “Whenever possible.”
She turned sharp, dark eyes to his. “Why do you do this, Virak?”
“Because I understand the feeling of having no one.” He hadn’t meant to say that.
Not like that—too honest, too exposed. He was finding himself doing this with Jessa—giving the raw answer, rather than the proper one.
“Both of my parents died when I was very young,” he explained.
“I was raised by attendants.” He shrugged in an attempt to diffuse the heaviness of his words.
She nodded slowly. “I know that feeling, too.”
They stood there, face to face as tension crackled between them.
Virak’s hands curled into fists. His cock felt full and heavy as it began to harden in the tight confines of his pants.
Jessa’s eyes were soft and moist and more open than they had ever been.
The purpose in bringing her here had been to see the joy on her face.
He had not intended it to be a bonding experience like it was turning out to be.
Now he was lying to himself. His gaze slid over her full lips, wide cheekbones and arched brows that always looked a little skeptical.
No male with breath in his lungs wouldn’t want to bond with this fascinating female.
There were depths to her that he wanted to explore.
She had softened, and he felt a powerful urge to do the same—to tell her every hope, fear, secret longing—but he was trapped by his upbringing, his role as king, and by a lifetime of habits.
Color rose on her neck, flushing her cheeks. Her pink tongue came out to wet her lips. “Virak?”
“Yes?” If she asked something of him, he would not deny her. She had no idea that he was standing there, wide open and exposed.
“Was this really a room for one chair?”
“Yes.” His lips curved. “It was a bit excessive.” Lust and need pounded through him. He wondered if the pain of touching her would be worth knowing the feel of her. A normal man would draw her into his arms and kiss her.
A normal man would not have been relieved when an attendant rushed up to them and asked to speak with him alone. He turned to Raan, whose expression forecast problems.
“There is a sandstorm on the surface,” said Raan, telling Virak nothing he didn’t already know. “The above-ground conditions have become so intense that we have lost all communication capabilities. We are acutely vulnerable.”
Virak nodded. “I see.”
“The advisors warn of a Sifter attack.”
“They are always warning of a Sifter attack.”
“That’s true,” said Raan, “but there is a band of them operating in the mountains north of here. They captured a small cargo ship and stripped it down to its shell.”
“That is the way of Sifters,” Virak said. He truly detested the thieving band of aliens that roamed the planet’s surface. They were some of the worst traders of rare creatures. “Put all guards on alert. Lock down all tunnel entrances.”
Raan cast a quick glance at Jessa, then swiftly looked back to his king. “Yes, sir. Your advisors are in the main chamber, awaiting your presence.”
That was a hint to end this little date and return to his duties, and Virak took it. As his attendant bustled back to the central part of the palace, he turned to Jessa.
“Our tour must come to an end,” he said gently, aware of the worried look on her face. She did hear that conversation with Raan, and her translator surely picked it up, despite their low voices. “I will return you to your rooms.”
They began walking to the exit and Virak could feel the nerves in her. “I hope my conversation didn’t cause you worry,” he said. “Sandstorms are common on Virilia, even strong ones like this.”
“But you’re putting the city on lockdown?”
“A precaution.” He hoped. “It’s standard protocol to secure the entrances when our communication systems are offline.”
That seemed to ease her mind. Her posture relaxed as they walked the short distance to her rooms.
“There will be no dinner tonight, Jessa. My advisors will want my full attention, and I cannot give it to them when I am in your presence.”
“Such words,” she murmured. “Will you come to me tonight?”
He felt himself go tense and hated himself for it.
The erection trapped in his tight pants was already agonizing, and now he had to refuse her—something he didn’t want to do.
He loomed over her, bringing himself dangerously close to her, just to see in her a fraction of the discomfort he felt.
Sure enough, her nostrils flared, and she backed up a step.
His lips curled up over his teeth in a flash of victory.
“I will come to you when I come to you.” His voice was a growl. It sounded ominous and somewhat threatening, but he knew it for what it was: misery.
Without looking for her reaction, he turned and stalked away from her. It was not until he was back in his throne room that the scent of her was out of his head and he could think clearly.