Chapter 17
SEVENTEEN
Jessa slept. Virak reclined on his side and watched her. Long lashes shadowed her cheeks. Hair feathered over her face and pillow in black waves. She breathed even and deep.
Waking up next to a female was wonderful. No, it was waking up to Jessa that made it wonderful. He carefully brushed a lock of hair off her face and admired her. Like the rest of her, her features were strong and beautiful. This was no fragile, sheltered female.
This was his female, and she possessed both resilience and intelligence—two traits he found invaluable in his position.
They were also two essential traits for a Virilian queen.
He could see her in that role, sitting beside him, advising him, as well as bearing his children and being his partner. But did she want that, too?
Her eyes opened. She gazed at him with a sleepy smile. “Good morning.”
Virak slid a thumb over her smooth cheek. “Did you rest well?”
She gazed at him in confusion, before realizing that she had removed her translator device before falling asleep. After taking it off the table beside the bed and positioning it on her ear, she replied, “Yes. You?” to his question, which he repeated.
He nodded, although the truth was he’d spent the night worried over Tagja City, the safety of his people, the security of the tunnels, and yes, the well-being of the rare creatures living in the palace and the Sanctuary.
All of these things weighed on his mind like a boulder.
And in the middle of all this was Jessa.
“Did I please you last night?” he asked, curious. So much about this was new to him.
“You pleased me so much, I will be sore today.”
He frowned. “I hurt you?”
“Not in a bad way.” She nestled closer. “Sometimes after a lot of sex—after not having had sex in a long time—there’s some soreness. Don’t worry. It’s not a problem.”
He didn’t like the idea that he caused her pain, but selfishly, he liked hearing that she hadn’t been with another male in some time.
“You’re worrying, Virak.” She smiled, leaned in and kissed him.
It was deep and sensual, causing his cock to stiffen and his tail to curl around her.
She took his hand and drew it to the apex of her thighs.
There, she pressed his fingers to her sex, which was slick with fresh wetness.
“See?” she murmured as she nibbled on his earlobe. “I’m perfectly fine.”
His head was already swirling with need.
Her pussy clenched on his fingers, which slid easily into her tight channel.
He rolled toward her, deepening the kiss, demanding more.
Her tongue thrust against his, then she sucked his into her mouth with a sensual moan.
Ah, he would never get enough of this, of her.
A chime to Virak’s v-link controller made him grit his teeth in annoyance.
The device also allowed him to translate Jessa’s words.
He rarely removed it, but just then, he could have happily smashed it against the wall.
Then, the message played, and he froze. Reality was back, and it needed its king.
“What is it?” she asked.
He got up, nude and acutely aware of her gaze running appreciatively over his body. “Drex has an important update. He needs to see us as soon as possible.”
She rose as well, scooping her hair back. The sleepy, sexy look disappeared, replaced with all business. “Let’s get going, then.”
They bathed and dressed quickly. A guard escorted them to the main dining chamber, where Drex met them. Food was laid out, but it was clear this was not to be a leisurely breakfast.
“Good news,” said Drex. “The sandstorm has abated enough to get clear communication to and from Tagja City. All is well there. Your guards successfully thwarted the Sifter attack and the ship Trak sent has arrived. His guards flushed the remaining Sifters from the tunnel system.”
Virak did not show a reaction, but his joints loosened in relief. “This is welcome news.”
“Your people know you are safe,” Drex continued. “Your advisors found the scene in your training room and feared you’d died.”
“I figured as much,” muttered Virak.
“Your people are loyal.” Drex nodded, also clearly relieved. “I am thankful that we don’t have a coup on our hands for the throne.”
Virak let out a laugh. “As you know, ruling one of our cities is not a coveted job. I don’t see many lined up to take on that mantle of responsibility.”
Drex smiled ruefully. “Quite true. Your people are eagerly awaiting your return.”
“As much as we have enjoyed your hospitality, I am eager to return.”
“My brother’s ship will take you back to Tagja City.” Drex raised one eyebrow. “Unless you want to return in that lovely sand racer you arrived in. Honestly, I cannot picture you on it.”
“No?” Virak had found riding it invigorating. And windy. “Why not?”
One corner of Drex’s mouth turned up. “It’s too undignified for your bloodline.”
“That’s true,” said Virak with a chuckle.
“But my forebears would say I am too undignified for my bloodline. After all, I turned the great throne room into a sanctuary for rare creatures.” He waved a hand in a way his fellow king would undoubtedly consider elegant.
The Braal bloodline was not descended from warriors and mercenaries like the Letu line.
“You can fight well, and not just those robots.” Drex’s voice held approval. “A useful skill, when ambushed by Sifters in your own training room.”
Virak cared nothing about approval, but he knew dispatching two Berulians made him an equal in the eyes of this king, and that was helpful to their alliance. He nodded. “It was.”
“It was terrifying, that’s what it was,” said Jessa, who had been sampling the food laid out for them. Her tone was dry and wry. She pointed at him, holding a half-eaten binko fruit bun. “I’m fine with it never happening again.”
Drex smiled widely at her. “Jessa, you represented your people well throughout this. It was an honor to meet you. Madison feels the same.”
Virak saw Jessa’s cheeks turn pink as she got out a “thank you” and a “likewise, of course.”
He slid an arm around Jessa’s waist. “Please let the ship know we are ready to depart when they are. I am eager to soothe the nerves of my advisors, and Jessa is concerned about the creatures in the Sanctuary, as well as the two in her personal care.”
“Of course. Oh—one other thing,” Drex said as he flicked a hand to summon their escort. “Trak’s team captured a prisoner. Apparently this one is high in the ranks of the Sifter organization.”
Virak went sharp on this new information. “What have they gotten out of him?”
“Nothing. He’s quite defiant.”
Virak’s lips peeled back from his teeth. “Not for long.”