Acting Out (5 page)

The following evening, Korian watched with narrowed eyes as
Jessica laughed, flirted, and chatted easily with the crush of nobles who
surrounded her at the after-party, but his wrath was not directed at them. His
ire was reserved for the tall warrior who stood at her side, his hand
proprietarily lodged at the base of her spine as they strolled from group to
group of excited nobles.

The evening was off to a resounding success. More than half
of the gathered upper class had not yet seen the Earth transmission of
Jessica’s movie, but gossip surrounding it had spread quickly and even more
delegates, politicians, and nobles had showed than he expected. The
anticipation for the viewing was high, and you couldn’t even hear a pin drop as
the transmission had begun. Korian had not expected to get so involved in the
tale himself, but he found that he could not tear his eyes away from the
unfolding action. The alien scenery and technology depicted in the movie was
distracting at first, but as soon as Jessica, playing the role of a young and
inexperienced new detective, appeared on the screen, he was hopelessly hooked.

He became so engrossed in the tale that he found himself
growing tense during the fight scenes and his hands balling into fists until a
voice hissed in his ear, “Relax, King Korian. I was the one actually doing
those stunts, not Jessica. It only looks like her because of camera tricks and
editing.” Korian released his tight grip and nodded his understanding to
Mahoney, who was sitting on his left. His relaxed enjoyment changed once again
when a steamy love scene between Jessica and another detective began to play
out on the screen. He thought his jaw would break with the stress of clenching
his teeth when the handsome male human proceeded to undress his
thalia
and kiss along her bare shoulders while she writhed and moaned beneath him. A
loud
crack
echoed through the room, causing all eyes to turn to him
curiously, and he waved an apology with a tight-lipped smile. Looking down at
the armrest, he was chagrined to see that he had crushed the structure with his
grip and it was hanging loosely down to the floor. Mahoney just rolled her eyes
at him and whispered that it wasn’t real and that Jessica actually despised the
actor who played that roll. Slightly mollified, he leaned back in his seat and
resolved to behave himself for the rest of the show.

When the transmission ended, there was a roar of approval
from the crowd of T’Kalans who had thoroughly enjoyed the climactic scene where
Jessica’s character shot and killed the crazed killer who had been stalking
her. When the lights had come back on and Korian took the stage, he addressed
his people and thanked them for attending the special event. He then went on to
explain that he had arranged a surprise for them and introduced Jessica
MacGregor to the crowd. When the lovely, redheaded human walked on the stage
and waved, there were surprised gasps, shouted exclamations, and general
pandemonium as the nobles and delegates stood to their feet to better glimpse
the intriguing alien. Jessica accepted all the adoration and attention in
stride, and took a few moments to thank them for their warm welcome and shower
effusive praise on their planet and people. When one bold noble shouted out
that he recognized her from the ceremony after the attack on
The Ax’Sandre
,
she only smiled and nodded and heaped more compliments on the warriors and crew
of the ship while downplaying any role she played in the aftermath.

The party had been in full swing for well over an hour, and
Jessica had not been able to take more than a step without being mobbed by the
excited nobles. Before Korian could reach her side to rescue her, however,
Zandar Nic’Omar had appeared at her elbow and deftly created a wide berth
around the starlet in order to give her some space. The tall warrior had smiled
and chatted before introducing his sister and her lifemate, a high-ranking
delegate from a nearby city, to the human and Korian watched as he led her from
group to group while acting as her escort.

“If your eyes could throw daggers, then I would be afraid
for Lieutenant Nic’Omar’s life,” a deep voice drawled in his ear.

Korian turned his head to see Mikael and Mahoney standing
behind him, and he reluctantly turned away from the sight of Jessica tossing
her long, wavy red locks behind her as she laughed at something Zandar
whispered in her ear. “I wish the warrior no ill,” Korian countered, his voice
as stiff as his posture. “He has been a good friend and a comfort to Jessica in
the past few days.”

Mahoney snorted into her glass of wine and Mikael shot her a
quelling look. The half-Japanese beauty just grinned before turning her hard
stare on the king. “Is that what they’re calling it on T’Kala? Comfort?” When
Korian’s forced smile faded, she glanced up at her lifemate and arched an
eyebrow. “Mikael, maybe we should leave the party early. I would love to go
back to our home and have you
comfort
me. All… night…
long
,” she
purred, her blunt-tipped nails trailing over her husband’s bulging bicep.

Mikael snatched her hand and tucked it through his elbow as
he surreptitiously adjusted himself much to her amusement. “It is not well done
of you to tease our king, Katsuko. He has enough on his mind without your
insinuations and innuendos,” he grumbled. “Speaking of which,” he addressed the
stony-faced young king, “I have heard back from five of our scouts so far. One
of them found incriminating evidence in the home of Rox’Ana Ful’Tera in the
form of transmitted communications to many other nobles. It appears that the
situation is worse than we feared.”

Korian rubbed his temples and sighed. “Of course it is. What
did the communications reveal?”

Mahoney’s nose curled with her disgust. “Basically, she is
stirring the other nobles up and calling for an uprising against you. Since her
plot to have you marry her daughter has failed, she has moved on to planning to
ruin your image in the press and turning your people against you.
Unfortunately, her plan includes blaming you and the other warriors for the
attack on
The Ax’Sandre
, and using your inexperience and lack of
availability to the provinces to incite distrust and rebellion. She plans to
insert herself as the elected official through her contacts in the Great
Alliance by promising the population they will be safe through protection from
our allies instead of relying on an outdated and ‘barbaric’ caste of warriors,”
she sneered, her scorn for the noble clear in her voice.

Korian’s eyebrows furrowed in thought. Looking to the
Captain of his fleet, he asked, “What do you recommend our course of action to
be, Warrior?”

Mikael ran a hand over his buzzed short hair and replied,
“We continue on with the plan. From what I am seeing here tonight, Jessica’s
presence will be in high demand, and Rox’Ana will want to be as close to the
center of the attention she generates as possible. As the king, if you appeal
to the noblewoman to take the Earthling celebrity under her wing and squire her
about society, it will keep her too busy to further her plans. During the
interim, you and I can reach out to rulers of the Great Alliance and procure
their assistance in securing our airspace.”

Korian nodded his head thoughtfully, but before he could add
his own thoughts, Mahoney interjected. “You know, there is a much simpler and
easier solution to this problem, Korian,” she announced, dispatching with his
title and smirking.

The king eyed her cautiously, unsure how to take this bold,
fierce human female. “I am all attention, Lt. Cmdr. Mahoney.”

Her dark brown, exotically-slanted eyes pinned him to the
spot. “You could take Rox’Ana’s daughter as a lifemate. With her own daughter
married to the Warrior King, you would turn your biggest detractor into your
most loyal defender. She would not dare to do anything to undermine the warrior
class for fear that her daughter would lose power and her grandchildren would
not inherit the throne.”

Korian couldn’t stop his gaze from seeking out Jessica once
more while he pondered the truth of Mahoney’s words. She was beautiful in her
dress of pure emerald green and her hair glowed like embers under the lights of
the entertainment facility. His heart squeezed in his chest and he longed to
storm across room and sweep her away from the adulation of the crowds and the
lusty gaze of her warrior escort. Never in his life had he felt such an
overwhelming desire to possess someone else, body and mind and soul, as he did
when Jessica MacGregor popped into his life with her happy smile, eyes the
color of a summer sea, and hair of flame. Even when she snarled and poked her
small finger into his chest, he was enchanted with her. Absently, he rubbed his
chest over his heart as he finally pulled his gaze back to Mahoney.

His eyes met hers and they hardened to chips of lavender
ice. “Only cowards and fools choose the easy way, Mahoney. If the end of the
warrior class is nigh, then we will end it as we have lived it: with a fight.
And this is one battle that I mean to win.”

Mahoney’s eyes sparkled with pride and she clasped her fist
to her heart. “I was hoping you would say that, my king. It will be my honor to
stand with you and among the warriors of T’Kala. May the stars guide us to
victory.”

Mikael executed his own salute and Korian returned it with crisp
precision. As the newly-mated couple made their way toward the buffet tables,
Korian couldn’t help but feel like he had just passed some unknown test via the
shrewd human woman. He shook his head with bemusement, and turned once more to
seek out the night’s shining star.

 “Jessica MacGregor, may I introduce you to Rox’Ana Ful’Tera
and her daughter, Par’Nisis?” Zandar asked, gaining her attention from a
fawning nobleman. “Rox’Ana is one of our most powerful and influential nobles
and is the king’s delegate from the capital city of P’Hartha.”

Jessica studied the two women shrewdly while they exchanged
pleasantries. Rox’Ana was pure T’Kalan female in all her glory. She was a full
head taller than herself, with sparkling bronzed skin, shiny black hair
threaded with gray pulled up in an elaborate up do, and sharp cheekbones
lending her an aristocratic air. Her daughter was an almost carbon copy of her
beautiful mother, but with the kiss of youth adding vitality and sparkle, and
they both shared startlingly pale pink irises. Jessica felt her broad smile
falter at the vision of loveliness that was Par’Nisis, and ruthlessly squashed
the spark of jealousy that flared to life in her breast at the thought that
this female could have been wed to Korian.

“Miss MacGregor, I am very pleased to make your
acquaintance,” the noblewoman greeted her, her voice deep and husky like
whiskey over ice. “What a shock and pleasant surprise for our king to treat us
to your presence. I cannot believe I failed to recognize you during the
ceremony, but then, I never dreamed that our king would be capable of breaking
the rules of the Great Alliance in order to bring you here.”

Jessica smiled sweetly while internally seething at her
passive-aggressive praise of their king. She forced herself to laugh lightly
and replied airily, “Oh, it was no trouble, actually, once I got past the
initial shock. In fact, I was flattered and quite eager to meet the T’Kalan
citizens that are such big fans of my work.”

Par’Nisis simpered and interjected into the conversation. “I
am very eager to learn more about your charming little planet, Jessica. Tell
me, is it true that your people still travel in conveyances with wheels?” She
laughed as if she couldn’t possibly believe such a thing.

Jessica’s eyes narrowed, but she nodded agreeably. “Yes,
most of our transportation is still dependent upon wheels, but we do have
conveyances that fly through the air, as well.”

Zandar, perhaps sensing her discomfort, changed the subject.
“Jessica has been learning about our own culture since her arrival. Just
yesterday, I escorted her to the marketplace so she could observe our wares.
She even returned back to the compound with a
bimbop
youngling.”

Rox’Ana’s eyebrows climbed up her forehead. “You mean to say
that the king did not escort you himself? I find myself surprised that he entrusted
your safety to another warrior, especially if he claimed you under Captive Law.
Have you even seen much of our young king since your arrival?”

Jessica traded loaded glances with Zandar. “As I’m sure you
know, the king has been very busy with the fallout from the attack on our ship.
His hospitality has been flawless, though, and my every need has been attended
to whether by his staff or his warriors.”

Her lips quirked nastily and her daughter barely stifled a
snort. “Yes, I am sure he has been quite accommodating with his efforts.
However, should you deign to do me the honor of hosting you for the next month,
I would be happy to introduce you to the more…
civilized
aspects of
T’Kalan society. You will find that the noble class and delegates from our
cities have much more to offer other than blood, sweat, and fighting.”

She ignored Zandar’s clenched fist at the small of her back
and smiled for all she was worth. “That sounds wonderful, Rox’Ana. I am honored
to be your guest and would be thrilled to find out more about your fascinating
noble class. Please send me a transmission with dates and times and I will
inform the king that I will be off his hands while you take over the burden of
my visit.”

With a smug look of triumph, Rox’Ana and her vapid daughter
sailed away into the crowd. Zandar steered her away from several other nobles
headed her way and managed to secure a table in the corner where they could
speak with relative privacy.

“More civilized, my ass,” he growled. “Believe me, her sharp
tongue has spilled more blood than all our warrior blades put together.”

Jessica took a much needed draught from her glass of wine
and patted his arm comfortingly. “Back on Earth, women like her are a dime a
dozen.” At Zandar’s puzzled look, she clarified, “They are everywhere,
especially in Hollywood. Don’t worry about her. I’ve got her number, and I know
just how to play her.”

Zandar leaned in closer to her and whispered
conspiratorially, “I have no doubts about your skills, Jessica. Your warriors
have faith in you. If anyone can take down the
Vlarnek of P’Hartha
, it
will be you.”

Jessica’s laughter rang out over the crowd like a
benediction, and she squeezed Zandar’s bicep as she replied, “From everything I
have heard about your
vlarneks
, I can only assume you are referring to
the noblewoman. It may be tedious work, but I’ll find out what she’s up to and
report back to the king.”

Someone cleared their voice loudly behind them, and they
spun guiltily. Jessica smiled in relief when she saw it was Korian, but the
anger simmering in his eyes made it fade. “Am I interrupting anything?” he
asked, his tone carefully neutral, but his jaw ticking with anger.

Zandar scrambled to his feet and offered his liege a salute
which Korian returned promptly. “My king, your company is always welcome. Will
you sit with us?”

“Thank you for the offer, Warrior, but I need to speak with
Miss MacGregor for a moment. Alone,” Korian stipulated, his tone brooking no
argument.

Zandar bowed his head in acknowledgment of his dismissal and
turned to Jessica. “It has been a pleasure to see you again, Jessica. Perhaps
we will see each other again soon.”

Jessica reached out to squeeze his hand affectionately and
assured him that she would let him know when she was free. When Zandar turned
to walk away, Jessica finally faced the king. He was so handsome dressed in his
hunter green warrior jumpsuit with the flag of T’Kala stitched on the back and
his blade strapped to his waist. His shaggy black hair looked soft and her
fingers twitched with longing to touch it and sink her fingers deep.

He studied her just as closely, and she couldn’t help the
shiver of awareness that chased up and down her spine at the heated look in his
eyes. “Would you walk with me for moment?” he asked her, extending his hand
toward her.

Without hesitation, she slipped her hand into his and
allowed him to assist her to her feet and then place her hand in the crook of
his arm. Instead of heading into the crowd, however, the king placed his hand
on a sensor to the wall behind them, and ushered her through the door that
appeared when the panel slid away.

Jessica found herself at a loss for words for the first time
that night, and decided to wait to see what Korian had to say. She didn’t have
to wait long. “You look stunning tonight, Jessica. Every male, and many of the
females, in the room are besotted with you.”

She felt another hated blush creep up her cheeks, but she
held her head up high and replied lightly, “I have Enahara to thank for that.
The Yeyolani female is magic with fabric and her hands. She even managed to
dress me while holding Little Mahoney. The funny little
bimbop
immediately latched on to her when she came into the room.”

Korian chuckled. “Yes, I would imagine it did. The creatures
have an infinity for expecting females that is only exceeded by their devotion
to younglings.” He paused as he opened another panel to lead them into a
sitting room that was framed by wall-sized windows that allowed inhabitants to
see out but no one to see inside. He walked her over to the window and they
gazed outside to enjoy the twinkling of the stars. “I saw that you met Rox’Ana
and her daughter a moment ago,” he began.

Jessica struggled to arrange her thoughts. Standing so close
to the alien king was scrambling her good sense. She could feel the heat
pouring off of him and smell the sandalwood of his cologne. She unconsciously
leaned into his body and replied, “Yes, she was quite, uh, interesting. She
didn’t say anything overtly treasonous, but then again, she is too smart for
that. She has offered to host me among T’Kalan society over the next month, and
I agreed to go along.”

Korian’s expression was grim when he replied, “Mikael and
Mahoney have reported that she is, in fact, behind the attempt to dethrone me.
We have a plan to circumvent her, but it can never hurt to have too much
information. Even though she is a noble, she can be very dangerous. You must be
careful not to give her the impression that you will report back to me. In
fact, it would help if she thinks you scorn me.”

Jessica shot him a flirtatious grin. “In case you haven’t
noticed, I’m very good at my job, Korian. Acting is a fine art, and I’ve been
told that I’m one of the best. There’s no need to worry about me. I’ve dealt
with worse women than her.”

Korian turned until he was gazing down into her upturned
face. “And what about when you are with Zandar? When you touch him, laugh, and
share your secrets with him, is that real or is it acting?”

Jessica’s smile faded and her mouth went dry. “I don’t know
what you want me to say, Korian. Zandar is my friend and he’s kind and
courteous. He’s funny and friendly, and I enjoy spending time with him.”

The king closed the distance between them and crowded her
into the glass with his big, muscled body. His breath fanned across her hair
and she closed her eyes when she felt the tip of his finger tracing the T’Kalan
blade hair pin that was pinning up the side of her hair. “Yes, but what I need
to know, Jessica, is this: who were you thinking of when you pinned this dagger
in your hair tonight? Was it Zandar Nic’Omar, or was it me?”

Jessica’s heart was beating in her throat, and the truthful
answer burst forth from her lips as if he had reached inside her and yanked it
out of her. “You. I was thinking of you, Korian.”

Korian sank his fingers into her hair and brushed along her
bottom lip with his calloused thumb. Jessica couldn’t suppress the shiver that
wracked her body or the hitch of her breath as he used his strength to pull her
into his body. “Ah, but does your body come alive when his hand is at your
waist? Do your eyes dilate with lust when he is near?” Lowering his head to
hers, he pressed his lips against hers in a light, teasing kiss. Pulling back
just enough for their breaths to mingle, he breathed, “Does his kiss make your
breasts swell or your sweet woman’s center weep?”

His words were like seductive magic, stealing her breath and
making her burn. She whimpered and tried to close the distance between their
lips again, but his grip on her jaw prevented her success. “I must know the
truth, Jessica. Do you feel these things in his arms as you do in mine?”

Her hands twined around his narrow waist and gripped
fistfuls of his uniform as she plastered herself even closer to his hardness.
“No, Korian, I don’t. Only with you,” she confessed, her voice cracking with
longing.

His smile was feral with victory and possessiveness. He
gripped her hair gently in his fist and pulled her head back even further. “I
have seen his intent with every caress and each pass of his eyes over your
body, but he will not have you. Do you understand me, Jessica? I will not allow
him to claim what is mine.”