Paal returned the gesture. “Paal, of Prince Zander’s Royal Guard.”
“We appreciate your efforts to keep us safe.”
Blah, blah, blah.
He forced a smile.
Watching yet another dance of seduction between his mother and a male made him sick.
His gaze drifted, as if attracted by a magnet, to Leti. Her skin appeared paler than usual and she’d stopped paying attention to his mother, frowning, instead at her food. When she realized he was watching, though, her temptress mask snapped into place. She took a slow bite of food, closing her lips around the fork in a way that had his cock surging against his flight pants. Now that he observed at her, he realized how incredible she looked, dressed in a beautiful white gown with a plunging V for a neckline.
Maddening female. Now he’d never stop staring at her cleavage. He wanted to veck that temptress look right off her face. Put her up on the table on her hands and knees and make a meal out of her. Then tug her hair back with one hand as he plowed into her hard enough to make her scream.
“Paal,” his mother trilled. “Why haven’t you introduced me to your human?”
Oh veck.
“What is she to you? Slave?”
Every being at his end of the table stiffened, Zandians and humans alike. They were in mixed company with a human as hostess and mate to their leader. Referring to humans’ slavery seemed...gauche at best.
“Lidea, meet Leticia. Leti, my mother, Lidea. And no, she’s not a slave. Zandians keep no slaves, by decree of Prince Zander.” He employed formal tones and pitched his voice so everyone would hear. His mother could insult him all she wanted, but he wasn’t going to give her the opening to target Leti. Especially if her purpose was to show off to some male.
“Mmm.” His mother dabbed the side of her mouth with a napkin. “Be careful, then. She looks like she wants to get her hooks into you.”
“Enough, Mother,” he snapped.
Leti’s lips curved into a sultry smile, and she made a clawing motion toward him.
Vecking hell. He needed to get out of this damn room.
After the meal, some of the old refugees pulled out musical instruments and started playing. The music was elegant. Soothing. All the older Zandians immediately brightened, some with tears in their eyes. Servants appeared from every corner of the pod, hovering in doorways to listen.
It struck Leti that she hadn’t heard a single note of music since she’d arrived on the pod. She’d thought perhaps Zandians didn’t listen to music.
Lamira stood and used a switch on her collar to amplify her voice. “I am delighted to introduce to you the musical group Crystal Prophecy. They were on tour in the galaxy when the Finn struck and have been quietly playing the music of Zandia in small gatherings ever since. They’ve offered to play for us tonight. Please feel free to remain here in the hall while the servants clear the tables for dancing.”
Dancing.
What did Zandian dancing look like?
The band struck up the lovely melody again. The older male who’d sat next to Paal’s mother, Lidea, extended a hand as if inviting her to dance. Other elderly Zandians got up in pairs, delight shining in the smiles on their wrinkled purple faces.
Despite her age, Paal’s mother moved with light feet and grace as her partner spun her around the room. Leti found herself smiling despite her opinion of the female. She could see why Lidea got under Paal’s skin. She struck Leti as superficial, selfish, and judgmental. And that was based on the way she treated her son, not the way she looked down at a human slave.
Leti didn’t give a flying pile of excrement about that.
She didn’t give a flying pile of excrement about much of anything except reconciling her thoughts around having a baby.
She didn’t know the first thing about being a mother. But she’d learn. She’d spend time with Lamira and watch how she cared for her little halfling. And Bayla, when she had her child. She’d be the best vecking mother to her baby the galaxy had ever known.
She didn’t have the slightest clue how to talk to Paal about it.
Hell, she didn’t even know if she would.
There were moments, mainly after they’d been intimate, but also after the attack on the pod, when both their barriers had been down. She’d been herself with him and he’d shown a tenderness that had taken her breath away.
In those moments, she’d been a different person. Without fear, she found in herself a bounty of affection. She wanted to give to him, without limit. Not because he was her master, but out of genuine desire.