The same thing that happened with Ka’leesa, whispered a little voice in his head. No, Valen—hold firm. Remember your vow.
“I’m sorry,” he said again.
Selena shook her head.
“There’s nothing to be sorry for,” she insisted.
Just then the Major Domo returned.
“We must cut this interview short, I fear,” he said briskly. “I have matters to attend to. Miss Bates, I will allow you to have your audience with the Emperor and you may participate in the gala, but I cannot grant you Independent status.”
“All right. Thank you for allowing me to participate,” Selena murmured.
“Major Domo, I must ask that you assign Miss Bates a guard, to help her fend off unwanted male attention,” Valen said quickly.
The Major Domo frowned.
“The Ma’shorkan position, as you know, Councilor, is that an unclaimed Dependent Female is in no position to refuse the advances of any interested male, who might wish to claim her.”
Valen clenched his jaw again.
“I am more than aware of Ma’shorkan sexual views, I assure you, Major Domo,” he said through gritted teeth. “But you must be aware that Miss Bates comes from a culture where females are allowed to refuse unwanted advances and since she is a guest here—”
“Yes, yes—fine. I’ll assign her a guard,” the Major Domo cut him off irritably. “But she must go to meet the Emperor now. She has only a few minutes to get to his audience chamber and you know his Highness does not like to be kept waiting.”
“Yes, I’m aware of that,” Valen said grimly.
“Good,” the Major Domo said briskly. Clearly he had given them as much of his time as he was willing to. He opened the door to his office. “Guard!” he called and one of the attendants, wearing the black and gold uniform of the palace, came to him at once.
“Yes, Major Domo?”
“Take this female to the Emperor’s receiving chamber and be quick about it,” the Major Domo snapped. “Oh, and no one is to bother her, even though she is an unclaimed Dependent,” he added as an afterthought. “See to it.”
“Yes, Major Domo!” The guard gave Selena an appraising look, which lingered too long on her ripe, bare breasts for Valen’s comfort.
Selena didn’t seem to enjoy it either, because she blushed and he saw her raise her hands reflexively to cover herself before she clearly remembered she couldn’t. Reluctantly, she put her arms back down by her sides, her small hands clenching into fists.
“Keep your eyes to yourself, guardsman,” he barked at the male, who turned pale and faced front abruptly.
“This way to the receiving chamber,” he said stiffly. “If you would follow me, Miss?”
“Yes, of course.” Selena started to follow him out of the Major Domo’s office, but she turned back to Valen. “Thank you again,” she said softly, looking up at him with those big brown eyes of hers. “Thank you so much for everything you’ve done for me, Valen.”
“You’re more than welcome,” Valen said stiffly. He wished he could take her in his arms to hug her goodbye, as he had seen humans do with each other, but touching females did not come easily or naturally to him. So he was surprised and pleased when she stood on her tiptoes to brush his cheek with her soft lips.
“I’ll never forget you,” she whispered.
And then she was gone, following the guard who had been assigned to her. She sent a single, backwards look at Valen, that somehow made him feel as though his heart would explode with longing.
Longing for something he could never have.
20
“This way. Quick step now, if you want to be on time, my lady,” the guard said, without looking at her. He was marching through the vast marble halls of the Ma’shorkan palace so quickly that Selena could barely keep up.
The gold brocade dress that showed her breasts was heavy and the long skirts dragged on the elegant mosaic floor, made of many brightly colored, tiny tiles. Her breasts felt cold and exposed, the nipples tight with fear. The chilly little breeze that gusted through the cavernous halls didn’t help either.
What does it mean that I’m an unclaimed Dependent Female? she wondered uneasily as she followed the guard. Should I just stay in the Ambassador’s quarters the whole time until it’s time to play for the gala? But what about all the other things on the itinerary? What should I do about those events? Skip them?
She wished desperately that Valen would have agreed to play her “Master” just a little while longer, but she supposed she could understand why he hadn’t. He had a big court case coming up—he needed time to prepare for it. And he had already expended a great deal of time, energy, and trouble making certain she got through the spaceport and to the palace safely. It wasn’t fair to ask any more of him.